Manufacturing firms are under renewed attack from low cost countries forcing factory closures around the country, it was claimed today.
Around 2,000 jobs have been lost in the first three weeks of the year with the closure of plants in Dublin, Donegal and Carlow.
Mr Eric Conroy, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed general secretary, said it was a worrying start to the year despite renewed economic and employment growth.
"The manufacturing sector is under attack again as competition from low cost countries forms a constant backdrop to these grim announcements," Mr Conroy said.
West Dublin has been hit with the closure of APW Enclosures and SerCom Solutions. A total of 420 jobs are set to go.
Textile firm Sara Lee, Irish Sugar, Bord na Mona and Donegal Parian China were also hit with closures. "These levels of redundancies will have a negative impact not only on the workers but also the communities, and we in the
"It is vital that the Government strives to replace these jobs in the same localities," he added.
INOU have been consistently warning of widening regional disparities," Mr Conroy said.