When his father died early and her mother lost her job, it was Melinda who had to take care of the family with the salary of the slaughterhouse. Melinda is originally from the city of Târgu Mure in Romania. The salary of the slaughterhouse was hardly enough to support her mother and little brother. Finally, Melinda saw no other way than leaving the country to support herself and those she loved. Melinda Scripcar had several jobs in Germany, including on construction sites. Photo: Private / news – In Germany I worked for four years. I worked in a hotel, in construction, with demolition, as a relief worker and with plasterwork, she says. In 2012, a friend from Romania called and asked if Melinda would join Norway. She had heard that the Norwegian welfare standard was far better than in many other countries. In the welfare state Melinda packed up her cases and followed her. She couldn’t Norwegian and just a little English. With some saved kroner, she got her head at first, but after two weeks the money was gone. She was looking for work, knocked on doors and asked for work, but without luck. Her friend quickly got a job with diet and lodging, while Melinda suddenly stood alone – without a place to live. Poor traveling poor visitors often stay in Norway in a short time, come from poor conditions and are struggling to find work in their home country. Many people seek income in Norway. Lack of education and language skills makes it difficult for many to get ordinary work. Explanation from the Church City Mission to news. On the street for the first time the first night was particularly heavy. – It was a situation I had never experienced before. Imagine suddenly standing on the street in a foreign country, without money, without anything, Scripcar says. She avoided sleeping in parks of fear and spent the night walking around asking hotels if they needed employees. Melinda Scripcar has ended up on the street several times. Here she stands outside St. Olav church in Oslo where she used to shower in 2015. Photo: Elena Bulai Løvland / news – I couldn’t sleep that much at night, I was scared, she says. After several months on the street, she came into contact with someone who spoke Hungarian, one of the languages she can. They helped her write CV that she began to distribute different places in Oslo. No information with experience such as baker, cleaner, slaughter worker and painter she took what she got from jobs in Norway – but nothing lasted. Melinda has always been interested in working. For the most part she had a place to live, but at times she was without a roof over her head. Language shortages have been one of the biggest obstacles to establishing themselves, making it difficult to both navigate the Norwegian system and to communicate with employers. – When I lived on the street myself in the toughest period, no one helped me. Either you had to pay for information, or manage all alone, she says. The lack of formal education has also put brakes on her opportunities. One day, over a cup of coffee with a friend, came a question that made her stop: – Have you considered adult education? asked the girlfriend. She didn’t. – I did not know that adult education could be free in Norway, says Scripcar. In 2024, she received a diploma from the elementary school and could apply for higher education. Photo: Elena Bulai Løvland / news Melinda believes that many immigrants are unaware of this opportunity. – That’s why I decided that when I got back on my feet, I should help others with advice and information, she says. On her way to a new career in 2023, she joined adult education in primary school. – I want to encourage everyone to start school, says Scripcar. She emphasizes that it can be demanding, especially for those who have to combine schooling with work. – It takes time, yes, it takes a lot of time. But it’s worth the effort, she claims. She also says that she has received a lot of support to complete the elementary school: – Here the teacher is very supportive, helps you and guides you through everything. You get training in everything you need. All you have to do is meet up and learn, she thinks. Relief organizations believe most people will work Marit Nybø jobs is the department head of poor visitors in the Church City Mission. She has had a lot of contact with poor visitors. – They come to Norway in the hope of income to support the family in their home country and build proper houses, says Nybø. It is important for Melinda to support the family. Here the daughter has made a painting of them. Illustration: A painting made by Melinda Scripcar’s daughter. – They would like to make money through work, but do not know how to apply for a job. Many have not attended school and do not speak English, she says. She believes that most people want to work. Marit Nybø believes many want to work. – They have always said that they want to work, they often take small jobs such as clearing and washing and would like to contribute, for example, to clear the streets of Oslo, says Nybø. Christian Ariton is an environmental therapist at the Migration Center in the Salvation Army, and has close experience with poor visitors over 10 years. He says he has never experienced so many of those who come to the center asks for support to get a job as they do now. – I can guarantee that 80 percent of young people who are on the street and sell balloons or newspapers or beggars take a job the day you have a job for them, says Ariton. Christian Ariton in the Salvation Army works in a project called “Job Taste”. He hopes this will give an entrance to the labor market for people sitting on the street. Photo: Salvation Army / news At the same time, Ariton points out that many of those who come out to work are extra vulnerable and can easily be exposed to utilization, low wages and poor working conditions. A look forward in 2024, Melinda Scripcar started in high school in health care and talks enthusiastically about everything she has learned so far. Melinda Scripcar learns from her supervisor, Kristine Barosen Kortgaard. Melinda Scripcar thrives in practice. Melinda Scripcar learns from her supervisor, Kristine Barosen Kortgaard. In her first practice, she has already gained confidence from the residents of the elderly center she works at. She looks ahead and is clear that she will continue her education. – I have no plans to stop here. I intend to continue at the university, she says smiling. The residents recognize Melinda when she comes in to watch them. She likes to be helpful. And she will continue with this. Practical tips for a safe start in working life tips from the Church City Mission, the Salvation Army and the NAV. The Church City Mission contact the SUA service office for foreign workers. They provide useful information on registration and working life rules in Norway. Make sure you have a written employment contract before starting work. Check what rules apply to minimum wages in your industry, so you know if you get the right salary. When applying for a tax card for the first time, you must create MinID. Make sure MinID is associated with your own phone number, not the employer’s. The Salvation Army provides safe accommodation to rest before and after work. Check jobs with accommodation or local offers from organizations. Provide a written employment contract within one week and avoid receiving wages in cash. Documents all by taking pictures of the workplace, copying time lists before delivery, and storing important documents such as D-number and MinID codes. Avoid rogue employers by demanding HSE cards and work clothes in the construction and cleaning industry. Report rogue matters to the Norwegian Labor Inspection Authority. Use networks to find job and housing opportunities. Acquaintances or new networks can be the key to getting a job. Seek out the Salvation Army for help with guidance, check of employment contracts, rights information, and access to food and rest. NAV contact NAV if you have difficulty finding a job yourself. NAV has an overview of the labor market, available jobs and dialogue with employers. Register as a job seeker if you have legal residence in Norway (nav.no). Use services like workplaces.no to find jobs and filter after working language. Focus on qualification as Norwegian education and competence building to strengthen the chances in the labor market.
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