Workers continued the protest through Monday night and Tuesday morning
The UK government has said that the crisis at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast is “ultimately a commercial issue”.
Unions say the yard is at imminent risk of closure and have called for it to be nationalised.
A government spokesperson said there was “every sympathy for the workers”.
They added that the government will “do all it can” to offer support.
The firm’s Norwegian parent company is having serious financial problems and put Harland and Wolff up for sale late last year.
There were exclusive negotiations with a potential buyer but they cooled in the last two weeks.
On Monday, workers said they had taken control of the site and established a rota to ensure their protest continues around the clock.
The yard employs about 130 people, specialising in energy and marine engineering projects.
They said they would continue the protest until a solution is found.
‘Commercial issue’
On Tuesday, a UK government spokesperson said that the government has “every sympathy for the Harland and Wolff workers at a time of great personal uncertainty”.
They added: “We will work with partners in Northern Ireland and in Westminster to understand the situation and do all we can to support, but it is ultimately a commercial issue.
“The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Julian Smith, has had conversations with Invest NI and ministers across government as a matter of urgency.”
The Unite union said workers decided to take the action ahead of the expected arrival of administrators on Wednesday.
Trade unions have been hoping that the yard could benefit from plans to build more Royal Navy ships in the UK.
But now there is a risk it will not survive for long enough to benefit.
They have demanded Boris Johnson’s government renationalise the yard and save their jobs
Image copyright
PAcemaker
Workers closed the shipyard’s gates on Monday
Harland and Wolff is one of Northern Ireland’s best known businesses and its two huge cranes dominate the east Belfast skyline.
It was founded in 1861 and at the height of production during World War Two employed around 35,000 people.
Its best known vessel is the Titanic, which was built at the yard between 1909 and 1911.
‘Here for the long haul’
Paul Beattie, who has worked for Harland and Wolff for more than 30 years, was on the picket line on Tuesday morning.
He told BBC Radio Ulster that workers “are here for the long haul”.
He added: “We sat back for too long and left it in the hands of the politicians and management within the company and now we are two days from closure.
“So we have decided to take action and try to force our politicians into a position where they are no longer hiding behind the fact that Stormont is not running.”
Gavin Robinson was at the shipyard on Tuesday morning
DUP MP Gavin Robinson told BBC News NI that he “understands and shares the concerns” and he is trying to work towards a solution.
He said: “The next number of days are critical for the shipyard and we are working towards a solution so I understand entirely their frustrations.”
Mr Robinson added: “There have been talks with intended bidders- the people have a vision for this shipyard, the people want to see a renaissance in shipbuilding in Belfast.”
