Pristina, Kosovo  - Kosovo's medical workers agreed to end their strike Wednesday, after winning a wage increase from the government.

Prime Minister Hashim Thaci's cabinet agreed to add 44 euros (60 dollars) per month for all health system employees. An average doctor's monthly pay before the hike was 250 euros.

The government also accepted to push through health laws and continue negotiating with medical labour unions to improve the largely disregarded sector.

Medical workers went on strike Monday, demanding a 50-per-cent wage increase.

Public hospitals and ambulances meanwhile handled only emergency cases.

Thaci, whose Democratic Party of Kosovo won in elections 13 months ago and went on to declare independence from Serbia in February, now also faces protests by state administration workers, who announced plans to launch a strike in early November.

Kosovo was and remains the least developed area in former Yugoslavia, heavily dependent on foreign aid, with an average wage of some 220 euros and unemployment exceeding 35 per cent. (dpa)