Finnish port workers seen to accept new wage deal -report

HELSINKI, March 19 (Reuters) - Finnish stevedores are likely to agree on a new wage deal, ending a strike that cost industry hundreds of millions of euros and crippled exporters for more than two weeks, Finnish national broadcaster YLE reported.

"According to information received by YLE news AKT (the Transport Workers' Union) is about to accept the proposal made by State Mediator Esa Lonka," YLE reported on Friday.

The Transport Workers' Union was not immediately available for comment.

The State Mediator has asked both AKT and the Finnish Port Operators Association to respond to his proposal by 1 p.m. (1100 GMT).

Port workers went on strike on March 4 over a new wage deal, and talks between employers and employees have stalled.

Finnish industry has estimated the nationwide strike to cost around 100 million euros ($136 million) a day, threatening a nascent recovery in Finland's economy and hitting industries including forestry, electronics and metals.

(Editing by Ruth Pitchford)