THE BMW Mini plant in Cowley has admitted it is unknown how many workers will lose out on pay during the factory's four-week shutdown.

The Oxford car factory announced on Wednesday it will cease production due to worsening Covid-19 pandemic until April 19 starting from Monday.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, a line worker at the plant claimed that all BMW employees including agency staff are set to lose pay for a whole month.

However, the company denies that this is the case.

The employee who wishes to remain anonymous said: "We were given no written notice about the closure.

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"I am trying to stay calm but I am terrified as I have a son and a wife who only works part-time.

" I am the main breadwinner in the family and I cannot afford to lose out on a whole month's salary because I have to pay for our rent and bills.

"Thousands of us will lose out while all managers will receive their full pay cheques."

BMW was not able to confirm how many workers will not be paid, however, a spokesperson for the company said that 'the vast majority' of direct employees will be reimbursed in full.

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They added: "We have sought to protect our business and our people.

"The majority of our employees will be paid in full and we have made provisions for agency workers as far as possible by extending flexible working and holiday arrangements.

"This is, of course, a rapidly moving situation and we are continuing to work through the finer details as to what this means for everyone and our business going forward."