Bolivian government officials and leaders of the Bolivian Workers Central (COB) resumed negotiations Monday aimed at ending a two-week-long nationwide strike.

Talks began again after labor leaders agreed to a 48-hour suspension in protests that began May 6 in demand of a substantial increase in retirement pensions.

Negotiations were suspended May 13, following highway roadblocks and other protest measures by COB members that have paralyzed day-to-day activity, particularly in La Paz.

Over the weekend, the government of Bolivian President Evo Morales, including Vice President Alvaro Garcia and Presidency Minister Juan Ramon Quintana, told COB leaders talks would not resume until protests were called off.

The COB's initial response was to call for stepped up protests this week, but late Sunday the labor organization announced a "48- hour vigil" and suspension of blockades, so the two sides could meet for talks at 8 a.m. local time (1200 GMT) Monday at the Ministry of Labor.

Minister of Economy and Finance Luis Arce and Minister of Labor Daniel Santalla led the government delegation, with COB Executive Secretary Juan Carlos Trujillo representing the workers.

The COB's first secretary of conflicts, Jose Luis Delgado, said the workers are not demanding a 100 percent increase in pensions as originally reported, but a 70 percent increase based on a worker's final 24 salary payment receipts prior to retirement.

Meanwhile, social organizations in favor of Bolivia's ruling party, Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), decided to organize rallies around the country starting Monday to show support for the government's "process of change," and oppose the general strike.

According to a recent report from the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade, each day of the strike has cost Bolivia some 10 million US dollars in losses due to blockades and protests disrupting transport and productivity.