Sweden: Dockworkers Union alleges spokesperson’s dismissal is retaliation for court-approved six-day boycott of military cargo to and from Israel
In February 2025, the Swedish Dockworkers Union and a CSO, Workers in Palestine, raised concerns over the dismissal of the union’s national spokesperson, Erik Helgeson, by Gothenburg RoRo Terminal. According to the union, Helgeson was dismissed on 4 February in retaliation for his role in organising and supporting a planned industrial action. The union had announced a six-day boycott of military cargo to and from Israel, which was authorised by a Swedish labour court. Helgeson’s dismissal occurred on the same day the court’s decision was announced.
According to the union, Gothenburg RoRo Terminal argued that the dismissal was due to breaches of “national security." Union representatives argue that this justification is unfounded and infringes on the union’s right to organise and engage in collective action.
In April 2025, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Gothenburg RoRo Terminal and DFDS, as major shareholder, to respond to the allegations. They did not respond.