At least 40 jobs are to go at the RAP packaging plant on the Derrybeg Industrial estate.
Management of the Rapid Action Packaging company told staff of the plans this morning.
It is understood the lay-offs are due to be implemented from next week.
Speaking today after the announcement of significant job losses TD Pearse Doherty said: “I am hugely concerned to hear this morning of significant job losses at the packing plant in my own home town. This is a devastating blow to the workers, to their families and to the wider area.
“While the immediate concern is ensuring that these workers receive their full entitlements in terms of pay and redundancy, this company is still active and I understand that these layoffs will be temporary and I hope that the workers will be back at work shortly.
“These job losses are announced after figures released by Sinn Féin yesterday which show that Donegal bucked the trend in terms of the number of full time jobs created by Enterprise Ireland in 2012 when 180 jobs were created for the region while 309 full time jobs were lost in the same period. Údaras na Gaeltachta created a net total of 11 jobs in Donegal in 2012.
“What is clear from the above figures is the complete lack of a targeted Government job creation and job retention strategy for the North West region. Donegal is recognised officially as the most deprived county in the state and west Donegal in particular is suffering under huge deprivation, emigration and unemployment. What has the response of the Government been to this crisis?
“Last year Sinn Féin launched a job creation plan with detailed proposals for a €13billion stimulus programme over four years which would create and retain more than 150,000 jobs. We have set out clearly how these jobs could be created and sustained through targeted investment in key industries. It is time for this Government to get its act together and develop a clear, comprehensive job creation strategy for the county. ”
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