Bausch & Lomb in Waterford has confirmed that is seeking 195 voluntary redundancies from its 1,400 strong workforce in the city.
Union representatives say that negotiations over severance packages are to take place in the coming weeks. The US-owned multinational makes eye care products.
A Bausch & Lomb company spokesman said the redundancies were necessary to balance manufacturing capacity with demand for products made in Ireland due to changes in the product mix in its portfolio.
It also said that it remains committed to maintaining the Waterford facility as a centre of manufacturing excellence. However, to ensure this inefficiencies must be completely eliminated, it added.
'We will continue to work on making Waterford a competitive and efficient plant which can compete effectively for further investment when the economic downturn is reversed,' the company added.
Bausch & Lomb put most of its 1,400 workers on short-time working at the end of January.
KPMG plans pay cuts and lay-offs
Accountancy and consulting group KPMG is to make around 200 people redundant at its Irish businesses. This represents around 10% of the workforce.
The company is also cutting pay to its remaining staff by between 5% and 10%. The pay cuts and compulsory redundancies take effect in May.
The 5% pay cut will apply to those earnings under €35,000 a year, with a 10% reduction for those over this figure.
KPMG said the lay-offs would mainly affect support services staff and recently qualified accountants outside the firm's management grade.
The 200 staff losing their jobs will receive six weeks pay per year of service (outside of training contracts) capped at two years' salary. The company says there will be no minimum service period to qualify for a payment.
