Honda: Workers willing to end strike, but no timetable

Honda Motor (HMC.NYSE, 7267.TYO) announced that most workers at its mainland China production facilities were willing to return to work after a labor dispute closed all four of its car plants in China, Bloomberg reported. However, no time has been set for a return to work and a Honda spokesperson said negotiations with workers are ongoing. Honda runs three joint auto ventures with Dongfeng Motor Group (0489.HK) and Guangzhou Automobile. Other foreign firms in China have encountered similar labor problems as Chinese workers begin to demand higher salaries and more benefits. At 11:00 a.m., Honda shares in Tokyo were up 0.2% to ¥2,784 (US$30.54).