Upwork to close Russia and Belarus operations
Freelancing platform Upwork will be suspending its business operations in Russia and Belarus, starting with the shutting down of support for new business generation in each country.
The freelancing platform will no longer accommodate new accounts from clients in Russia and Beltus. They will not be allowed to initiate new contracts and will not be searchable in the coming weeks.
Existing contracts with talent and clients in the region will remain open, with final billing due by May 1, 2022.
Upwork noted approximately 10% of its team members were located in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, including nearly one-third of its engineering team.
Approximately 16% of Upwork’s engineering team is based in Ukraine, while Russia and Belarus represent a combined 17%.
In a statement, the company said that they have undertaken extensive efforts to support their employees who are affected by the war, adding that they have paid for the expenses of their team members who want to relocate
Additionally, Upwork has donated $1 million to Direct Relief International to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They are also planning to match the donations made by their employees to Ukraine.
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