MIOVENI, Romania (AP) -- Around 5,000 workers for car manufacturer Dacia-Renault continued a strike Thursday to demand higher wages and benefits.

 

Workers gathered for a fourth day in the southern Romanian town of Mioveni where the Dacia-Renault factory is located.

 

Workers want a monthly salary increase of 550 lei (euro150, US$230). The company says it cannot afford the extra cost and is offering a net increase of 170 lei (euro45, US$70) per month.

 

Dacia-Renault has challenged the legality of the strike at the county court. A hearing will take place April 2, national news agency Rompres reported.

 

Company spokesman Liviu Ion said the factory had losses of euro60 million (US$93 million) that made a higher offer unrealistic.

 

The strike, which began Monday, was called after talks broke down between management and workers. Four thousand workers also went on strike on March 14 over the same issue.