A local TD has asked how meat factories workers were deemed essential during Covid-19 but the paid minimum wage.
Sinn Fein's Matt Carthy said it beggars belief that they could work through a global pandemic and not have a wage that reflected their contribution.
SIPTU's Greg Ennis said Meat Industry Ireland is currently considering proposals put forward by the union to formally negotiate terms and conditions for essential workers.
Nora Labo of the Independent Workers' Union agreed with Deputy Carthy, saying workers struggle for equality within factories.