Ecuadorian soldiers fired tear gas on striking oil workers today, a month after protestors shut down two oil facilities.

The Petroecuador workers are demanding full-time jobs and delayed payments, a company official said.

"We have no communication with Petroecuador at the moment," said Luis Ubidia, a union leader. "The workers were carrying out a peaceful protest when the army started shooting tear gas."

The government has declared a state of emergency in three Amazon provinces, denying some constitutional rights of local citizens.