Jaguar Land Rover Extends Nitra Plant Shutdown Amid Cyber Incident

Production at Jaguar Land Rover’s factory in Nitra remains halted as the company continues to grapple with the fallout from a major cyberattack earlier this month. The shutdown, which began in early September, has now been extended into October, leaving roughly 5,000 employees facing weeks of uncertainty.

The disruption stems from a global IT systems failure linked to the cyber incident that affected the automaker’s operations worldwide. JLR has said its priority is restoring systems safely, working alongside cybersecurity experts, the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, and law enforcement agencies. The company indicated it is preparing a phased restart of production but has not provided a firm date.

For workers, the stoppage means either using annual leave or receiving partial wage compensation. Under agreements with unions, those placed on employer-side downtime are entitled to 75 percent of their average pay through October. Union leaders, however, stress that families are worried about longer-term security, especially in cases where both partners are employed at the plant.

The possibility of applying Slovakia’s short-time work scheme, known as Kurzarbeit, has been raised by government officials. If approved, it would allow employees to receive 80 percent of their wages during downtime, with the state covering part of the cost. However, unions warn the process is complicated, pointing to past experiences during the pandemic when not all applications for compensation were recognised, leaving workers exposed to financial risks.

The Nitra facility, which opened in 2018, produces models including the Land Rover Defender and is regarded as one of the most significant foreign investments in Slovakia’s automotive sector. Analysts estimate the cyberattack is costing JLR tens of millions of euros in lost output each day, with ripple effects on the company’s network of suppliers across the region.

The extended shutdown comes as Slovakia’s car industry — a key pillar of its economy — faces broader challenges tied to technological transformation and competitiveness. Government officials have pledged to support the sector’s transition while unions insist workers should not bear the brunt of crises beyond their control.