Up to 800 workers in betting shops in the Republic could face lay-offs if the foot-and-mouth crisis continues.
SIPTU Dublin services branch secretary Ms Chris Rowlands said yesterday that employers had notified her they were finding it increasingly difficult to guarantee work. Already about 100 SIPTU members at dog tracks have been laid off because of the race meetings ban.
In Kerry, SIPTU branch secretary Mr Patsy Cronin said up to 700 members face an uncertain spring because of the number of organisations cancelling conferences. One of the first casualties was the union's own women's forum, which was due to go ahead in Killarney last weekend.
The Communications Workers' Union and the Irish National Teachers' Organisation have still to decide if they will hold Easter conferences in Tralee. Among trade organisations which have cancelled conferences in the region are Centra and Supervalu.
Besides permanent employees, Mr Cronin said there were several hundred seasonal staff who would normally be working by now in the region. Because the work is seasonal they have no prospect of compensation for lost earnings.
Ms Rowlands said: "The Government should establish a relief fund for workers experiencing hardship as a result of foot-and-mouth." She estimated 800 employees of betting shops in Dublin could face lay-offs.
The Dublin regional manager of Stanley's, Ms Marie Kelly, estimated business was down about 25 per cent this week. Lay-offs were being avoided by giving staff holidays or lieu days. She said that if dog racing was called off in England some lay-offs would be inevitable.