ISME claims 70,000 jobs on line as crisis deepens

UP to 70,000 jobs in Irish firms are on the line, the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association (ISME) has warned.

ISME confirmed that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are in deep crisis with 96% of them having introduced either a pay cut or a wage freeze since the start of the year.

Firms planning lay-offs have risen to 35% from 25% two months ago.