Sana's friends who have left town phone her almost every day asking if there is a new buyer for Northvolt.
When Norran English speaks to Sanna Naz she has just worked her last day at the Northvolt factory before it officially closed down.
– I can't express with words how I feel. I didn't want to come out from the factory. I just wanted to stay there because I knew this was the last day. And when I stepped out from my department my eyes were full of tears. I looked back at Northvolt and just said goodbye, Sana says.
Since Norran English spoke to Sana and her husband Azeem last there has been no progress made in the job search for either of them. The time has now started ticking on the three-month deadline for them to find employment as Sana is the main applicant.
– So I'm actively seeking for new opportunities. And now at the moment it’s very difficult because we have a lot of things to do. We have to look for a new apartment and we don't have job contracts which makes it harder to get an apartment.
Sana and Azeem have given notice on their apartment so that they are ready to move if they get job opportunities elsewhere. They have their current apartment to the end of July and at the moment they do not know where they are going or where their daughter will be enrolled in school in autumn.
– My daughter started her school in Skellefteå so she has friends here and she likes to be with them. She loves it here and we also think it’s a very peaceful city compared to overcrowded big cities like Stockholm and Gothenburg.
Inside the Northvolt factory there has been talk about a new buyer and production potentially starting up again as early as September. For Sana and her family, being rehired in September would be a last-minute save.
Over the last few months a lot of friends and colleagues have left town to find work elsewhere but Sana says that many of her friends are prepared to move back immediately if the factory was to open again.
Azeem, Hareem and Sana photographed near their home in Skellefteå.
– Everyone working at Northvolt is so attached to Northvolt, they don't want to move from the city. I know a few of my friends who already moved and they want to come back. They call me every other day asking if there is a new buyer. If they start rehiring they will come back. So they’re just hoping for Northvolt to restart because we are emotionally connected to this organisation, Sana Naz says.
Despite all the uncertainty Sana sounds optimistic and matter-of-fact when she speaks of the future.
– I want to be positive even in this negative situation because I have to look after my family. I don't want to be depressed or stressed because that would affect them. So I want to be positive and I still have hope that Northvolt will rehire me.
– But there is a sadness, grief inside which I don't want to show to my family. Something sad which I am hiding inside me. But even then I’m optimistic and I think that what happens will happen for the better, she concludes.