The Transport Workers' Union held an extra board meeting on Wednesday evening where they discussed the issue of the Russian ships that continue to come to Sweden.
- From the first of May, we will stop handling Russian ships, says Transport Workers' Union chairman Tommy Wreeth to SVT.
The members of the Transport Workers' Union work in a large part of Sweden's ports and the blockade will include Russian, Russian-flagged and Russian-controlled ships.
- The board completely agreed on this.
But we still believe that this should be handled by the Swedish government and the EU coordinated, says Tommy Wreeth.
The Swedish government has previously said that it is precisely within the EU that the decision should be made.
- I understand that it is a complicated one.
At the same time, I think it is a matter of conscience, they send weapons to Ukraine but continue to buy goods from Russia.
I think it should be possible to reach a common blockade within the EU, says Tommy Wreeth.
Can affect Swedish industry
The Swedish Port Workers' Union has previously introduced a similar blockade that came into force on Monday.
When the Swedish Transport Workers' Union also stops handling Russian ships from the first of May, it could have major consequences.
- I hope it leads to the Swedish government increasing the pressure on the EU and that there is a coordinated decision to stop unloading Russian ships in EU ports, says Tommy Wreeth.
SVT has previously revealed that in recent years there have been about 170 Russian-flagged ships with goods to Sweden and not 12 as the government has claimed.
According to the Swedish Transport Workers' Union, the decision may mean that there will be a shortage of certain goods and also risk affecting Swedish industry.
- That's why we put it away for a month so that companies have an opportunity to find suppliers other than Russian, says Tommy Wreeth.