National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Vice President Barry McCall has called for an investigation by the Director of Corporate Enforcement into the circumstances which allowed the majority shareholder of Vita Cortex to avoid his obligations to the redundant workers at the company.

Moving a motion of solidarity with the redundant workers at Vita Cortex McCall told the Irish Executive Council (IEC) of the NUJ on Thursday 19th January that the workers had found themselves "victims of an outrageous and immoral manoeuvre".

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He called on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton to make immediate contact with the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. The motion was supported by NEC member Emma O’Kelly and unanimously adopted by the IEC.

McCall stressed the right of workers to legal protection, including the protection of company law.

After 12 hours of discussions involving SIPTU and the management of Vita Cortex at the Labour Relations Commission on Friday 20th January in Cork talks were adjourned without agreement.

Speaking on RTE Radio's Drivetime SIPTU Organiser, Anne Egar, said: "[the workers] are very angry at the moment, I mean really angry and upset and distressed.

"I'm sure there are some people out there, around Jack Ronan [the Vita Cortex owner] who could persuade him he can’t continue to treat workers like this. I would say to Mr. Ronan pay your bills and stop expecting everybody else to pick up your tab for you."

(CD/GK)