Former Northvolt Employees Face Deportation Risks Amid Job Market Crisis
Thousands of former Northvolt employees face job loss and deportation risks as assistance program fails to meet needs.
Key Points
- • Thousands of Northvolt employees risk deportation after job loss.
- • Only 1 out of 1,400 participants in Beredskapslyftet found new jobs.
- • Tanvir Reza Akash has given up hope of finding work in Sweden.
- • Beredskapslyftet struggles with long recruitment processes and language barriers.
The recent upheaval at Northvolt is leaving thousands of former employees vulnerable, grappling with job loss and the looming threat of deportation due to tight visa regulations. Many former staff members have not only lost their livelihoods but also their ability to remain in Sweden as they face limited time to secure new employment.
One notable case is that of Tanvir Reza Akash, a 32-year-old from Bangladesh who worked at Northvolt. After applying for hundreds of jobs in Skellefteå, he has decided to leave Sweden. Tanvir expressed his frustrations candidly, stating, "I’m not angry, I’m pissed," reflecting the desperation shared by many in his position. His experience underscores the challenges faced by individuals on work visas, which mandate securing new employment within 90 days of job termination. With only 65 days left on his visa, Tanvir has already vacated his apartment, showing the immediate impact of his situation.
The Beredskapslyftet job matching program, intended to aid those like Tanvir, has been severely criticized for its ineffectiveness. According to current data, only one out of 1,400 participants has found new work after 40 days in the program. Fredrik Hillelson, CEO of Beredskapslyftet, acknowledged the difficulties persisting in the job market. He identified long recruitment processes and Swedish language requirements as significant barriers deterring potential hiring, leading to a lack of suitable job matches for many participants.
As a response to the escalating crisis, the Beredskapslyftet project has received funding of 300,000 SEK from Tillväxtverket and an additional 1.7 million SEK from private donations to improve recruitment efforts. Despite receiving this financial support, the project's outcome has fallen short, leaving many former Northvolt employees with no clear path to employment.
Tanvir's plight represents a larger narrative affecting thousands—his wife, Mahfuza, who works in a café in Skellefteå, faces uncertainty as her residency is contingent upon Tanvir's employment. As the situation evolves, there is growing urgency among those affected to explore opportunities outside of Sweden, with Tanvir looking towards cities like Lisbon, Porto, and Barcelona for a fresh start.