Jaguar Land Rover is in its fourth week of shutdown following a cyber attack – its workers are still being paid but employees of suppliers face a catastrophic loss of income and now a charity is offering a lifeline. Tony McDonough reports
An automotive charity is offering a lifeline to workers impacted by the ongoing Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) cyber attack crisis.
In early September JLR suspended all production at its UK and overseas factories, including Halewood in Merseyside. In the last few days the company has said the shutdown will continue until at least Wednesday, October 1.
At the end of last week it said it is beginning a “controlled, phased restart” and that “sections of our digital estate are now up and running”. It added: “The foundational work of our recovery programme is firmly under way.”
JLR has significant cash reserves and can continue to pay its workers, including around 3,500 at Halewood. However, numerous companies in its supply chain are facing huge uncertainty. Many are SMEs that cannot go on for long without any income.
In the UK JLR directly employs around 30,000 people and there are in the region of 100,000 workers in the supply chain, including in Liverpool city region. While the Government ponders a rescue package people are facing a period without wages.
Now a charity, the Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund (Ben) is offering bespoke support to such employees. Ben has launched a campaign to support those affected.
Chief executive Rachel Clift said: “We recognise this is a very worrying time for people who have been affected by the cyber attack, especially for small and medium-sized suppliers who rely on JLR’s production.
“The cyber attack came out of nowhere, so individuals could not have planned for its impact. Some small suppliers deliver just-in-time manufacturing and pay their staff weekly, meaning that workers are now facing their fourth week without a wage.
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“We want everyone affected by the cyber attack to know that they are not alone. Ben can offer financial assistance, health and wellbeing support – and this may well be a lifeline for many workers and their families.
“As this challenging and uncertain time progresses, we are fully committed to working with others to ensure that all the necessary support is in place for workers to restart production at pace and without barriers.”
Anyone affected by the JLR cyber attack can access support from Ben by visiting www.ben.org.uk/cyber-attack emailing jl********@*****rg.uk or calling Ben’s helpline on 0808 131 1333.