Cork workers continue sit-in

Some 30 workers are continuing their sit-in today at a Co Cork company from which they have been made redundant.

Workers at the Vita Cortex plant are now into the fourth day of their protest over redundancy payments they say they are entitled to.

The group of workers at the foam packaging manufacturing company based on the Kinsale Road in Cork city are caught in a stand-off between their employers and NAMA.

The money for the redundancies has been frozen in the accounts of a sister company controlled by NAMA, which says the money must be used to pay the parent company’s multimillion-euro debts.

Managing Director Ian Kirby has said he is due to meet with NAMA officials today to discuss the release of funds to pay workers' redundancies.

"It's just a complete mess" said Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central Jerry Buttimer.

"It's imperative and important that those involved sit down, be honest, be open - because we're dealing with people here who's livelihoods have been affected.

"They have a statutory entitlement to receive redundancy; it's imperative now that the people involved at the top level just sit down and involve in a real negotiation with workers - and pay them what they're entitled to," he added.