A Jaguar Land Rover agency worker has lifted the lid on the huge cull which could see 1,000 job losses in Solihull, revealing: “They’ve basically sacked us in 10 minutes”.
The worker told how bosses at the JLR plant in Lode Lane gathered Manpower UK agency staff together for a mass meeting yesterday (April 16), when it was announced the luxury car manufacturer would be “making some adjustments to the level of agency staff”.
The agency staff member, who has asked to remain anonymous, told BirminghamLive: “It all happened yesterday. They’ve called about 1,000 of us round, all the agency staff, for a 10-minute briefing.
“There was no opportunity to ask questions, they just fired a load of information at us and said sorry it’s come to this and, following the reports in the press, that they’d be in touch before April 26 when they decide who stays and who goes.
“They’ve basically sacked us in 10 minutes. It’s exploitation at the highest level and it’s wrong.”
The dad-of-four claimed JLR had opted for “cheaper labour” by opening up a new billion pound plant in Nitra, Slovakia, where it is estimated that 3,000 people will be employed and 150,000 cars will be churned out per annum.
He said: “According to the Financial Times website workers’ monthly pay over there is about 400 Euros.
"I take home just over £2,000-a-month. It’s all down to cheaper costs. They’ll be making the Discovery Sports in Slovakia and pumping out nearly double what we’re currently doing over here.
“They’ve also opened a Brazil plant recently but what’s killed them is that China don’t like diesel cars and that’s a massive market.”
The Birmingham dad, part of the 1800-strong workforce at the Lode Lane plant, has also criticised agency firm Manpower UK.
He added: “Listen, I’ve got children aged nine, 11, 14 and 19 and I’ve just took a mortgage out on a house.
"I had a five-year contract and I’ve been there for a little over three years, working every week to get a permanent contract with Jaguar Land Rover.
“I’ve done all sorts on the track from the padding to chassis work.
"It could be back to the drawing board, there’s so much uncertainty and morale is proper down.”
Dr Ralf Speth, JLR chief executive officer, had previously spoken about the Slovakia plant plans.
He said: "The start of construction in Slovakia today represents the beginning of a new phase in our plan to create a truly global business.
"The factory will strengthen our international manufacturing capabilities as well as complement our existing facilities in the UK, China, India and Brazil."
