The Government must come to the assistance of 350 workers at Gama in the form of emergency social welfare payments and accommodation, according to Ictu general secretary David Begg.
In a letter to Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin, Mr Begg formally requested that the protesting workers, who claim they have been threatened with eviction, should be assisted until the situation has been resolved. It is thought the letter also received the support of Siptu president Jack O'Connor.
On Monday, Turkish workers at Gama staged protests against the company, accusing it of "starving them into submission" in their dispute over pay and conditions. The company has asked them to leave by Friday unless they agree to go back to work.
"This presents an appalling vista of people being left homeless and destitute in a foreign country," said Mr Begg in his letter to the Minister. "Given the urgency of the situation, I would appreciate if you could act on this request as quickly as possible."
A statement from Gama yesterday said that the workers still had jobs available to them and continued to be employees of the firm.
"They have been refusing to work and have been occupying premises in Lucan for several weeks. They have been asked to leave by Friday of this week. There is no question of them being evicted," said the statement.
"Most of the employees protesting have received substantial transfers into their personal bank accounts in Turkey over recent days. They have also been paid up to last Friday despite refusing to work."
In a statement last night, Mr Martin said his officials were in contact with Gama's legal advisers to verify the transfer of funds to the personal accounts of all Gama workers.
In relation to the request by Mr Begg, Mr Martin said officials from his department were also in contact with the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs.