The government in the Philippines has intervened in a dispute between Philippine Airlines and its pilots.

The government has ordered the company, which was privitised in 1993, to reinstate the hundreds of pilots it has sacked, and told the pilots to return to work immediately.

The Labour Secretary, Cresenciano Trajano, said the directive was issued in the national interest.

Philippine Airlines has been almost grounded since the strike started on Friday, over proposed cuts in pilots' rest hours and proposals for enforced early retirement.

The company says it is in financial difficulties and must cut costs.