Forty employees of BSN Medical, Thurles, Co Tipperary, face redundancy following a company announcement yesterday that it is transferring some of its operations to Asia.
The company is seeking voluntary redundancies from among its 120 full- and part-time staff and will continue with a smaller operation in Thurles.
BSN medical specialises in the areas of orthopaedics and wound care, producing ready-made dressings and bandages.
Local representatives expressed disappointment at the decision.
Labour Senator Kathleen O'Meara said that the immediate priority must be to secure new jobs as soon as possible. "It is worrying, however, that once again Ireland is losing out as a company opts to locate certain operations in Asia where overall costs are cheaper," she said.
Fianna Fáil's Máire Hoctor TD said the loss is a huge blow to workers and their families.