Oil employees fired in Ecuador

Paris-based oil and gas company Perenco SA fired its 250 employees in Ecuador, complaining of what it calls a government takeover of its local assets.

Perenco official Rodrigo Marquez said the workers were no longer heeding orders after an affiliate of the state oil company was ordered to guarantee production at Perenco fields.

Perenco had threatened to shut down operation in a dispute over contested back taxes.