IFI workers fear pension fund has been underfunded

THERE were growing fears yesterday that a pension fund for the doomed, State-controlled, Irish Fertiliser Industries plants is underfunded by upwards of €15 million.

In a double whammy for workers, the Government's minor partner, British giant ICI, yesterday, in a surprise move, fast-forwarded the closure of its Belfast site without finalising severance conditions.

According to workers, the North's 90-day consultation process was not observed by the company's notice of a planned shutdown next week.