Budapest - There was more disruption to rail services in Hungary on Friday as a strike by the country's largest railworkers union entered its sixth day.

The Rail Workers' Free Trade Union (VDSZSZ) is demanding a one-off payment of 250,000 forints (1,356 dollars) to all MAV employees from the proceeds of the privatisation of MAV Cargo, the recently spun off freight wing of the loss-making state-owned rail firm.

It also wants a backdated, ten per cent pay rise for subcontracted workers.

Finance Minister Janos Veres, while talking on Friday morning about next year's budget, described the demands of union leaders as "absurd," according to local news agency MTI. He noted that, in any case, the employer does not even have the power to meet them.

"The demands are political in nature. They want to use the strike to put the government in a difficult position," said Veres.

"The national rail strike will continue at the same level on Friday, while the outlook for the weekend is, for now, uncertain," said Rudolf Oroszi of the VDSZSZ.

Union leader Istvan Gasko pledged on Wednesday to lift the strike temporarily on December 24, 25 and 26 to ensure a full service over Christmas. (dpa)