Redundancy fund established for IFI workers

A redundancy fund of €24.4m is being established for the 620 workers who are to lose their jobs at Irish Fertilisers Industries.

But unions who held a demonstration in Dublin today say it is not good enough.

The Government, which owns 51% of IFI, is expected to provide a little more than half of the €24.4m.

ICI, which holds the remaining 49%, will contribute the balance of €12m.

The fund was disclosed after a protest in Dublin today by over 300 workers who are to lost their jobs in Cork, Belfast and Arklow.

Already, SIPTU have branded the proposed payments of two to two and a half weeks for each year of service, as "wholly inadequate".

The Taoiseach will meet with representatives of workers in Cork tomorrow to discuss the redundancies further.