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Liliana and Sergio moved from Mexico to work at Northvolt.
Now they risk being forced to leave Sweden, with a mortgage of SEK 2.9 million.
– We moved to Skellefteå to build a future, says Sergio Irigoyen.
Skellefteå residents about the bankruptcy: “Everything is in vain”
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In early 2023, Liliana Cano, 36, and Sergio Irigoyen, 38, moved to Skellefteå with their son Sergio Cano, 12. They came to work at the Northvolt battery factory, and after a while they decided to buy houses.
– We moved here from Mexico in the belief that we had found stability and a promising future in Skellefteå, says Sergio Irigoyen.
They then took a home loan of SEK 2.9 million, which SVT Västerbotten Be the first to report.
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The full screen pair Liliana Cano, 36, and Sergio Irigoyen, 38 with son Sergio Cano, 12. Photo: Private
Last week, the company filed a bankruptcy application and now the termination of the around 5,000 employees has begun.
– It is very sad and we feel disappointed. We made a big decision when we accepted this challenge and moved to a whole new country, says Liliana Cano.
“A ticking bomb”
The couple has a work permit to June, after which they must leave Sweden. Due to the uncertain future, Northvolt has said no to standing behind extended conditions.
– It feels stressful, like a ticking bomb. If we do not find a new job, we have to leave the country and be able to sell the house before June, but we want to stay here, says Liliana.
“Record high levels in Skellefteå”
At the same time, the housing market has changed sharply since the family bought their house. In Skellefteå municipality, 161 villas were already for sale last week.
– During the same week last year, 89 villas were for sale. We are now at a record high levels in Skellefteå, says Erik Holmberg, market analyst at Hemnet and continues:
– The increased number of published housing took off in the autumn of 2024 and differs from the kingdom together. This indicates that the situation with Northvolt has probably affected the situation.
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HELSKÄRMERIK HOLMBERG, market analyst at Hemnet. Photo: Fredrik Persson
“Soon we have nothing left”
Lilian and Sergio are worried about not getting the house sold, while their savings are soon over.
– We have put almost everything we saved to buy the house. Now the last money goes to food, gasoline and bills. Soon we have nothing left.
According to the couple, the bank says that they have not handled a similar situation before and they feel that they are not given any clear information about their situation.
– It would have been reassuring if anyone could say: “Try to be calm, we are working to help you.” Instead, it feels like we are completely alone in this crisis, without any support.
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The full -screen family’s house in Skellefteå. Photo: Private
At the same time as they are trying to sell the house, they are looking for new jobs in the hope of getting an extended work permit.
– When the news came our son called us from school and asked, “All my friends and teachers wonder how I feel. Do I have to leave football and Skellefteå FF now? What will happen to my dreams?” He was worried and cried, she says.
– We try to be strong. We really hope that, together with thousands of other highly qualified professionals, we will be given the opportunity to stay in Sweden.