Swedish Trade Unionists Prevent Russian Ship From Leaving Port, Demand Higher Wages

Swedish trade union sailors are preventing a Russian ship from leaving port and demanding that its St. Petersburg owner increase the wages of the Russian crew. Anika Barmin, spokesperson of the SEKO trade union, which unites sailors, service and communication workers, has announced that there are is a crew of ten on board the Piligrim-2. The ship has been in the Swedish port of Falkenberg, on the west coast of the country, since the start of the week. In spite of the fact that the vessel entered the port under a Cambodian flag, the crew is Russian and its owner is from St. Petersburg. According to the trade union spokesperson, the blockade will continue until the owner concludes a contract meeting international standards with the sailors. The sailors receive poor wages, according to Barmin, who explained that some of the crew were only paid between 50-80 dollars a month. Moreover, inspectors from the State Shipping Department have banned the Russian ship from leaving the port for a number of fire safety regulations.