THE government of the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe imposed a curfew on Saturday, a day after a strike by workers left 370,000 people in darkness for nearly 24 hours.

A dispute over pay has pitted the energy branch of the left-wing CGT trade union confederation against utility company EDF since mid-September.

The blackout left some households without water, and mobile phone coverage was severely affected. 

The government said that the night-time curfew was “to ensure the safety of all, the protection of property and public tranquillity.” 

As of Saturday morning, power had been restored to 160,000 people, the government said, with work ongoing to restore power to 70,000 others. Priority services such as hospitals had been reconnected or were in the final steps of getting power back. 

The government continued to urge caution to residents, many of whom were forced to turn to generators for electricity.

On Friday, workers raided the control room of the only power plant on the island, prompting police to rush to the scene to secure it, authorities said.

The CGT did not respond to a request for comment.