More than 500 bank guards in Zhongshan, Guangdong province, returned to work on Dec 5 after their employers agreed to increase their monthly salaries by 510 yuan ($83.70) a month.

The Guangzhou-based Nanfang Daily reported that the employers also agreed to pay the guards for overtime in the agreement that the two sides signed on Dec 4.

The guards, who are responsible mainly for accompanying bank employees on cash deliveries, went on a strike on Dec 3 after their employers rejected the guards' pay-rise request.

The banking service of more than 20 banks and their saving offices in the city were affected, and many ATMs had their service suspended.