Butcher's Block job losses 'show workers at end of queue when it comes to liquidation'

One couple who worked in the shops are owed approximately €1,500 in unpaid wages and holiday pay alone.

(Left to right) Butchers Block staff Alexsandra Emilia Bednarz, Ewa Swiniarska and Gitana Prochoroviene who were laid off by text message an hour before they were to report for work at the Blackpool Shopping Centre in Cork. Picture; David Creedon

The TD behind proposed new worker rights laws has asked an Oireachtas committee to speed up its work to ensure the bill is enacted soon.

Socialist Party TD Mick Barry spoke out on Tuesday after meeting staff affected by the shock closure of two butchers' stores in Cork. He said the job losses at The Butcher's Block highlight the shocking lack of workers' rights in a liquidation situation in this country.