As many as a third of all those working in the manufacturing industry in Northern Ireland could be facing short time working or lay-offs. The continuing economic downturn has already forced many firms to shed jobs, but a warning today said that the workforce cuts might be much deeper still.

The group representing employers said the slowdown was hitting the industry hard and has now called on Stormont Executive members to "put aside their differences to try and address the problems".

The warning comes on foot of building and engineering firms estimating that as many as 18,000 jobs could be lost in their respective sectors next year.

Today, the Northern Ireland Manufacturing (NIM), which represents 500 firms in the region, said the crisis affecting the construction industry was having a knock-on effect on its members.

NIM Chief Executive, Bryan Gray said: "Many of our members are exposed to the slowdown in the local construction markets but the situation is even worse for larger manufacturers of construction materials who are also being hit by the slowdown in Great Britain.

"Employers have already begun to reduce staff numbers and this situation is going to accelerate if action is not taken.

"Some companies are reporting redundancies as high as 30% of their total workforces."

Noting that the Northern Ireland Executive has not meet for over four months amid a stalemate between the DUP and Sinn Fein on a series of issues, the NIM Chairman, Michael Wightman added: "There is growing frustration and anger amongst our members that, at a time when other Governments are working night and day to bolster their economies, ours isn't meeting.

"We understand that there are political issues to be resolved, but this is a time of crisis and we would call on all sides to show the leadership we need by 'parking' their differences until the economy is under control."

See: North-South Summit In Doubt As NI Executive Fails To Meet

(BMcC)