Pig factory workers hoping to resume jobs in coming days

Trade unions say they hope hundreds of people laid off in the pig-meat processing sector over the past week will be able to resume their jobs in the coming days.

Pig factories across the country have been closed since Saturday's announcement that animals on a number of farms had eaten feed contaminated with dioxins.

Thousands of workers are believed to have been laid off or put on protective notice as a result.

Processors had been refusing to reopen their factories until agreement was reached with the Government on a compensation package.

Last night, the two sides concluded a deal on a €180m scheme.