Many expressed anger that despite repeated requests, management refused to give any indication of redundancy deals at the meeting.

Others expressed concern that they would not be able to pay mortgages or provide for their families.

Coleraine man Allan Ramsey, who has worked at the factory since it opened a decade ago, said that the rumour mill had gone into overdrive when workers arrived on Sunday and were told to attend a meeting.

"Everybody took it from that that it was the end of the factory," he said. "I have a wife and two kids, a mortgage, a car. Now I have to go home and tell my wife I'm out of a job."

He challenged Seagate's corporate communications manager, Ian O'Leary, who yesterday said that the decision to shut down the factory was taken only 13 days ago.

Mr Ramsey claimed: "The decision was made a year ago. It was cheaper to operate with a cheaper workforce.

"The way I see it, the Northern Ireland government invested money into this company for ten years and now they are looking for somewhere cheaper."

Father-of-two Kieran Moore (42) from Derry said people were "gutted and angry".

"There is anger that they won't tell us about the redundancy package. There are people there with mortgages to pay, families to look after and the least they could have done is tell us about the redundancy package.

"I have a mortgage, two wee'ns and I just have to get on with it now and look or another job."

Kamilla Dziadosc (27), from Poland, said she may be forced to leave Northern Ireland.

Katrina McCloskey (36), from Limavady, said during the meeting yesterday the workers "had been asking questions and getting nowhere."

She added: "I have a daughter who has just started university and there is only this wage coming into the house.

"People have mortgages, cars to pay, children to look after and what are they going to do now?"

Leona McDermott (36), from Derry, added: "We thought this was one of the places we thought was running well."

"It is unfair the way they are going about this. They were asked in that meeting 1001 times what about the redundancy packages but they wouldn't tell us. All they would say was 'we will tell you in the morning'."

Ms McDermott's 27-year-old friend and colleague Ann-Marie McGlynn added: " I'm pregnant and this is just unbelievable what has happened. I'm not going to be able to get a job now."

Limavady men Ross Brown (36), Roger Robinson (33) and 28-year-old Mark Allen were also left reeling.

Mr Brown said: "All they have told us about the redundancies is that they will be competitive, but competitive compared to what? There is no ball park figure.

"There is no respect for people the way they are being treated in here. It is a disgrace."

Mr Robinson added: " They are putting almost 1,000 people out of work. Are there 1,000 jobs in the north-west? No chance. If you go to the job centre there are maybe 10 jobs and only one of them you would apply for."