Debenhams workers in Waterford say the company has put them in the difficult position of demonstrating during a pandemic.
Protests took place outside stores nationwide today, after the retailer bowed out of the Irish market without paying staff redundancy packages.
Around 90 people employed by Debenhams in Waterford's City Square Shopping Centre have lost their jobs.
A small number held a one hour-long silent protest this morning where they stood 2 metres apart, with some staff wearing gloves and masks.
Michelle Gavin has worked in the Waterford store for 27 years.
She says they weren't given any indication that the shop wouldn't reopen following the pandemic:
"We had all hoped to return. We locked down as we were asked to do to protect the business; put way all the different items, and when we all left on that Monday we said 'see you in hopefully 6/8/10 weeks time'. So unfortunately that's not going to happen now.
"We appreciate the company has gone into liquidation but we hope now that Debenhams will step up and look after their colleagues.
"Debenhams mightn't have a legal obligation to the staff but they do have a moral one. Debenhams in the UK intend to continue trading; they're going to open up all their stores in England after this pandemic, and we're just asking them to please look after their Irish staff.
"A lot of young people in there have taken out mortgages, have young children, young families; their whole life ahead of them and they were making plans. That's all been take away. We're just trying to get the best package for all of the staff so that they have some small amount of security."
