Farwa Aslam, November 2024. "They should be more flexible with language requirements. Maybe they can set up language programs for newcomer staff."
– The rejections hurt me a lot, says Farwa Aslam as we chat in her small studio apartment in Bureå.
She speaks quietly, partly because her husband Muhammad, who works nights delivering food, is sleeping in the same room. But her soft tone also reflects the emotional weight of the Northvolt situation.
During our interview for Norran, I almost feel intrusive, and at one point, I'm worried she might cry.
To be honest, I'm worried I might too.
We’ve already taken photos outside in the autumn sunshine, laughed, and enjoyed the moment.
Farwa has a positive spirit and loves being in front of the camera, which makes her fun company. However, as we sit down to discuss her struggles, the mood understandably darkens.
– I can understand Northvolt's decision, Farwa says.
– They had to do it. But it’s the job rejections from other companies because I don’t yet speak fluent Swedish, that hurt the most.
Moving to Skellefteå in April was tough for Farwa at first. Due to a housing shortage, she lived alone at the Away camp in Solbacken, while Muhammad stayed back in Malmö.
– It was really hard because I had never lived alone. Those first two months were a rollercoaster for me.
Thankfully, she found ways to connect with the community, such as joining in with free yoga classes at Sara kulturhus, which helped her make Swedish friends. She had also studied SFI while living in Stockholm prior to Malmö, which eased some language challenges.
Before moving, Farwa studied food technology and nutrition at Lund University, building on her master’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology from Pakistan. When she saw a job opening for a production quality technician at Northvolt, she applied and was thrilled to move here.
Farwa Aslam, November 2024. – The rejections hurt me a lot, says Farwa Aslam as we chat in her small studio apartment in Bureå.
In July, an apartment became available, and Muhammad joined her in Skellefteå. When I ask her about life in northern Sweden compared to the south, she obviously mentions the weather but also notes that people up north are friendlier and more welcoming.
– It’s so peaceful and calm here. Life felt like it was on the right track, then suddenly, everything shattered.
She’s referring to the day she got Northvolt’s message.
– A friend at work saw the message before me. I thought it might be about reassigning our roles or something, she says.
But after a meeting with HR she understood it was a termination notice.
– I wasn’t prepared for that. It was a big shock because I’d hoped they would reassign my role. It took me a week just to process it.
Farwa Aslam, November 2024. "A friend at work saw the message before me. I thought it might be about reassigning our roles or something," she says.
I asked her what employers could do to help jobseekers like her.
– They should be more flexible with language requirements. Maybe they can set up language programs for people. We are willing to learn. And companies need to act quickly to save the talented workforce here. If they don’t, Skellefteå will change for the worse in just a few months.
Despite the challenges, Farwa remains positive. She’s hopeful that her skills in laboratory work can help her find a job as a lab technician, research assistant, or biochemist, but she's open to other roles to stay here.
Like many in her position, she has until the end of November to find a new job.
– I want to stay. I’ve adapted to life up north, so moving back down south again would be hard for me.
Farwa Aslam, November 2024. "I can understand Northvolt's decision," Farwa says.