Ayesha Masood, daughter Alaya Ali Khakhrani and Masood Ali Khakhrani outside their home in Anderstorp.
– My daughter can now speak five languages. Swedish, English, Urdu, Pashto and Sindhi. She was two-and-a-half when we came to Sweden, and now she's five. For us adults to learn Swedish, it's not that easy. Especially with this kind of time frame of 90 days. Learning a new language can be a little tough when you're older, says Ayesha Masood.
I’m sitting with Ayesha, 31, her husband Masood Ali Khakhrani, 36 and their five-year-old daughter Alaya Ali Khakhrani, at their home in Anderstorp. It’s beautifully but sparsely furnished because they have already started selling furniture in anticipation of a possible move.
– We had a table here, a TV cabinet there, and a Swedish flag there. So many things have gone. We sold the bed in our spare room, so that room is now empty, says Ayesha, as she points to empty spaces in their living room. It’s a quiet moment.
The family moved from Pakistan to Malmö in August 2022 so that Masood could study for a master’s degree in embedded and intelligent systems (computer science) at Halmstad University.
– I think it was one of the best decisions to move to Sweden and start our lives here. The locals and Pakistani community were very welcoming, very helpful, says Masood.
After his first year of studies his student visa was due to expire, but Masood was offered a job at Northvolt, employed through Randstad. He applied for a work visa in summer 2023, and he is still waiting for it, 19 months later.
–This issue made life tough because we have not been able to leave Sweden. We cannot explore Europe or go back to visit loved ones in our home country. In December my younger brother got married, but we could not go. My mother cried a lot, says Masood.
Masood, like so many others, is now desperately trying to find a new job here. If he is successful his family can stay here, but that’s a big if. If he’s lucky, there’s a probation period of six months in a new job, so they’ll not be able to leave the country for a further six months.
–The work visa uncertainty is a sword hanging over me. It’s difficult but staying positive is the key to this solution, because if I’m stressed or depressed then it will also affect my wife and daughter. I must be strong and stay motivated to give them hope, says Masood.
Alaya, 5, loves life in Skellefteå and has made friends at preschool.
I look at Ayesha who is clearly in awe of Masood and the weight he carries for his family.
– I always cry. I talk to my mother, and she’s always telling me, don't worry it will be okay. But Masood, he's such a good man, a good husband and father, says Ayesha.
Masood worked three different roles whilst at Northvolt. He was hired as a production quality associate through Randstad, then after 6 months was employed by Northvolt as a technical coordinator in the engineering team.
In February this year he was promoted to associate process engineer, working in a close team of skilled Swedish, Polish and Romanians. It’s clear that he thrived being part of an International team, and he speaks fondly about the work culture and conditions. However, he feels that the problems were with the highest levels of management.
Ayesha Masood, Alaya Ali Khakhrani and Masood Ali Khakhrani at their local park in Anderstorp.
– My direct manager was very transparent with us, but he was kept in the dark. Our managers were telling us that we’d likely get promotions in April in the yearly salary review. Then we heard about the bankruptcy.
– I cannot blame those at the top, as maybe they were trying hard to get financial support. But they should have informed people in case any of us were offered alternative jobs during the last six months. Now everyone is looking for work at the same time, says Masood.
The other challenge all ex-Northvolt workers are facing is the need to speak Swedish. Many job specifications specapplicants need to be proficient in both written and spoken Swedish; however CVs are requested in English.
Ayesha Masood, Alaya Ali Khakhrani and Masood Ali Khakhrani outside their home in Anderstorp.
–There are certain jobs like sales, when you are targeting the Swedish market, then you need to know Swedish. But if the job is related to project management, process engineering or production management then it is not necessary to have perfect Swedish skills, because most of the factories here in Sweden work with English as their main language. Companies should consider all people, regardless of their level of Swedish, says Masood.
It’s evident Masood is willing to adapt to any position that is offered. During his 13 years of work both in Pakistan and Sweden, his employment has ranged from working in warehouses, delivering packages for Budbee to working in project management and engineering.
– I think learning is a part of life. With this belief you can do any kind of job, concludes Masood.
Ayesha Masood, Alaya Ali Khakhrani and Masood Ali Khakhrani at their local park in Anderstorp.