Volex the telecom components company has announced 44 lay-offs from its workforce in Castlebar, Co Mayo as another Irish based firm feels the pinch from the global economic downturn.
Volex employs approximately 600 people in Castlebar manufacturing electronic cable for the telecoms and computer industries .
A further 49 people have agreed to part-time work arrangements with the company.
Mr John Corcoran, managing director of Volex in Castlebar told ireland.com this afternoon the decision to cut 44 jobs was made after consultations between the company, staff and unions staff which began earlier in the year.
Mr Corcaran said he hoped the impact of the job losses on Castlebar could be minimised as two other large companies in the town - APC and Baxter Medical - were currently recruiting for up to 40 positions.
The telecommunications sector has come under sustained pressure in recent months with a number of industry losses announcing massive job cuts.
However Mr Corcoran said that in recent weeks revenues have stabilised and the industry may have reached "a sustainable level of business".