This week, Prasadinee Wijesundara's employment at Northvolt came to an abrupt end.
Lidiya Musali is one of those hit hard by Northvolt’s bankruptcy. Both she and her husband were laid off this week. We meet her at The Great Northern.
– We just received an email informing us that we had been laid off. We have worked at Northvolt for a year and a half. Last year, we bought a house here, planning to stay, and we also have a seven-month-old baby who was born here in Skellefteå. We don’t think we will find a new job in Skellefteå, but we still hope to find something in Sweden, says Lidiya.
Several former employees testify that the lay-offs from Northvolt happened abruptly. One former Northvolt employee told Norran that after working at the company for over three years, they received an email at 10 p.m. on Monday stating that they no longer needed to return to work. Shortly after, another email arrived instructing them to report to Northvolt to return their laptop, phone, and access card.
Before the email was sent, their access to the building had already been revoked, preventing them from retrieving personal belongings from their locker. When they asked the staff collecting the laptops and phones, as well as security guards, if they could go inside to clear out their locker, the answer was no.
– First, I lose my job, and then I can’t even collect my belongings. Is this the thanks I get after working hard for over three years? How can they be allowed to do this? I know I’m not the only one locked out—this applies to all of us who were let go.
Another former Northvolt employee said they received notice of their dismissal late on Monday night and were locked out within seconds. They also had no opportunity to retrieve their belongings or say goodbye to their colleagues.
– This is rotten and inhumane behaviour. Where is the company’s support when people are breaking down in the middle of the night? Where are the meetings for those affected? This treatment makes me sick. They don’t value individuals at all—people are just numbers, a worthless statistic in the company’s eyes.
– The truth is that Northvolt’s management is still making the decisions. The administrator has no idea how to handle a company of this size and is instead relying on the old leadership. On paper, it’s no longer Northvolt, but the toxic Northvolt culture, unfortunately, still lingers, says the former employee.
Agnetha Boström, press officer at Skellefteå municipality, says that many visitors are grateful that the crisis center is open this week.
Hundreds of those laid off have sought assistance at The Great Northern’s open house this week. In addition to municipality representatives, officials from various authorities and trade unions are present to support former Northvolt employees. Among the authorities on site is Statens servicecenter
Sonja Sjölund Lindman from Statens servicecenter reported a higher attendance today compared to yesterday.
– Yesterday, we assisted 110 individuals with inquiries, and today we have already received 76 visitors within two hours. Many are seeking information regarding residency permits, pensions, unemployment benefits, and tax returns. It is gratifying to be here and provide assistance, and I believe the collaborative effort among all those present is excellent, Sonja stated.
Among those who visited The Great Northern were Prasadinee Wijesundara and Shalika Jayasinghe from Sri Lanka, both former Northvolt employees. Shalika was laid off during Northvolt’s previous layoffs last fall, and Prasadinee received the news this week.
– I am still in shock. It is painful, Prasadinee expressed regarding the situation.
The couple relocated to Skellefteå with their seven-year-old son, a significant factor in their desire to remain.
– We initially resided in Uppsala, where our son attended preschool. He has since attended two schools here: Norrhammarskolan and currently Floraskolan. He is happy here, and we have established our lives in Skellefteå with the intention of staying. We are reluctant to uproot our son again and return to Sri Lanka, as we are uncertain of his ability to cope with such a transition, Shalika, the father, explained.
Prasadinee Wijesundara and Shalika Jayasinghe have a 7-year-old son and hope, primarily for his sake, that they will be able to stay in Skellefteå.
She was laid off from Northvolt during the previous round of layoffs and has since been job hunting and attending some interviews. Prasadinee received an abrupt end to her employment this week when she was laid off via an email. On Wednesday, they went to the municipality’s crisis office at The Great Northern in hopes of getting help from Arbetsförmedlingen.
– We are both highly educated and would bring a lot to the table. Our problem is that we don’t speak Swedish, but if someone would give us the chance with a new job, we’re willing to learn the language. Now, we only have three months to find a new job, and it feels impossible, says Prasadinee.
On Wednesday, former Northvolt employees gathered at The Great Northern to seek answers from representatives of various authorities.
Also present at The Great Northern this week is Arbetsförmedlingen's Jenny Olofsson, who reports that many visitors appreciate the convenience of having all authorities consolidated in one location, facilitating easier access to answers.
– Many attendees have already registered as job seekers and are seeking confirmation of their completed procedures. A significant number are also enquiring about the duration of post lay-off salary payments and how unemployment benefits work. We are here to provide information and schedule initial planning meetings with those seeking employment, Olofsson stated.
Norran has sought clarification regarding the intended lay-off process, specifically inquiring about the existence of a clear plan and its adherence, particularly in cases where individuals perceive unfair treatment. We are contacting both Northvolt and the bankruptcy trustee.
Jenny Olofsson from Arbetsförmedlingen is present at The Great Northern to answer questions and provide information to former Northvolt employees.