From Syria to Furetank: the story of Wassim

The path that took Furetank’s business controller Wassim Salma from a war-torn Syria to a new life in Gothenburg is quite a story. Demonstrating for democratic rights he was forced to flee his home country, facing a very uncertain future. Little did he know that his job, branch of industry and hometown would all be mirrored in Sweden a few years later.

Wassim Salma had a stable life in the port town of Tartous in Syria, working as a business controller and IT specialist. When the Arab spring dawned in Tunisia, he was one of the many Syrians who saw as a precious opportunity to raise their voices for democratic rights. As he participated in peaceful demonstrations, the escalating danger ultimately forced him to flee the country with his wife and their less than two years old son, to ensure their safety.

This was the start of a rootless period in the United Arab Emirates and Turkey, trying to find qualified work and a good situation for the family without success. They decided to head on for Europe. Thanks to a Syrian acquaintance in shipping, Wassim could board a ship going from Mariupol via Istanbul to Spain where he arrived in August 2014.

”Sweden was the best place”

– Me and my wife had been brainstorming and researching together where to go. We found that the best place in Europe was Sweden, with peace, friendly people and a good chance of getting a residence and work permit. We needed stability in our lives and especially for our son, Wassim says.

They decided to aim for Gothenburg, home to many shipping companies as well as IT work opportunities in the technology cluster around Volvo. Both industries accept English as a work language which would facilitate finding a job. But Wassim had to take a detour past other cities, and helped a friend look at an apartment in Vänersborg when the landlord turned out to be Håkan Johansson, a man with a great network in shipping.

– I am very grateful to Håkan who asked me to describe my work experience and expertise. I told him that I have a background in shipping as an accountant and internal auditor, as well as IT expertise. He said ’I can guarantee that you will find work in Sweden and I will help you’. He forwarded my CV to two shipping companies and Furetank contacted me almost immediately for an interview.

Copy-paste from Syria to Sweden

After less than one year in Sweden, Wassim had his residence and work permits, he was granted a family reunion and offered a job matching his core expertise.

– I can hardly understand that it was possible, I couldn’t dream of it. I have the same work position in the same business as in Syria. Also, there was an island called Arwad outside my hometown Tartous where most of the shipping companies were based, just like Donsö outside Gothenburg. And both of the islands have their own dialects, Wassim says and laughs.

Found his second home

He describes Furetank as his second home, enjoying the 10 o’clock breakfast break with his colleagues who quickly made him feel welcome and comfortable. The company helped him find an apartment for his family and the CEO provided them with accommodation in a guest apartment within his own residence until they were able to relocate.

– I cannot explain to you how much it means to me that Furetank gave me the opportunity to kickstart my career in Sweden and offered me unwavering support along the way. Life is stable now, I don’t have to worry about tomorrow. My son spent his first five years moving between countries, but now he feels entirely Swedish. A good future is waiting for him here. Of course I can’t forget Syria but Sweden is our country now.

Wassim finally got the democracy he was demonstrating for. Last autumn he voted for the first time in his life, in his son’s school, knowing that his vote would actually count.

– It was a very nice day in my life.