Workers at the Fruit of the Loom plants in Donegal and Derry have described the company's, in deferral of a decision on redundancies as yet another insulting chapter.

The workforce may now have to wait three weeks before discovering the full extent of the redundancy plans at the troubled company.

Hundreds of workers yesterday received a circular from their union, SIPTU, informing them that no decision has yet been made on their futures. Local politicians and workers stood united in their condemnation of Fruit of the Loom's failure to make an announcement on the company's future in the north-west following Sunday's meeting between the company CEO, Mr Bill Farley, and the Tanaiste.

Fianna Fail TD Ms Cecilia Keaveney described the lack of movement as an insult to employees. "The workers certainly do not deserve to be treated like this. They feel, and I feel also, that we are as far away as ever from any kind of settlement."

She added: "I think it is a disgrace that so little effort has been made by this company, considering the loyalty of their workers down through the years." SIPTU's regional secretary, Mr George Hunter, described the company's silence as a "disgraceful situation".

"All the workers have heard is rumours and leaks over the past number of weeks. It is a disgraceful situation. Fruit of the Loom must take a step back and look at the overall situation.

"We are calling on them not to introduce any further redundancies until the end of 1999 to allow the IDA seek alternative areas for job creation locally."

Ms Olivia Doherty, a senior shop steward at the company's Raphoe plant, said workers are simply fed up at being kept in the dark. "There is a horrible atmosphere in the factory and, to be honest, there is very little work being done because of it. We simply don't know where we stand."

She added: "We are now being told that it will be three to four weeks before an announcement will be made. Can you imagine what people were are going through not knowing if they will have a job or not come Christmas?"

The Fine Gael TD, Mr Dinny McGinley, said it was now time for Mr Farley to repay the loyalty of his employees by limiting redundancies and making an announcement on job cuts as soon as possible.

He added: "Both the Donegal and Derry workers have been among the most productive in the world and now is the time for Fruit of the Loom to show their thanks to these workers for this hard work and loyalty."