Upwork has announced that it is suspending all business operations in Russia and Belarus and is taking action to provide relief to Ukrainian partners and direct donations to organizations that provide relief to Ukrainians.
Upwork Talent Market
Upwork is a global marketplace that connects freelancers around the world with jobs available in the global marketplace.
As Upwork is a global enterprise, the Russian invasion of Ukraine will inevitably affect Upwork’s business operations.
The actions proposed by Upwork will affect clients and freelancers in Russia and Belarus.
However, Upwork is implementing the moratorium in stages so as not to interrupt current contract work, so as not to adversely affect clients or freelancers who agreed to contracts and work prior to this announcement.
Upwork suspends operations in Russia and Belarus
Upwork decided to suspend all business operations in Russia and Belarus, labelling these countries as wars against Ukraine.
According to Upwork, the full effect of the suspension will take effect on May 1, 2022. This date was chosen to allow clients and freelancers to issue final bills and close existing contracts by that date.
The first phase of the suspension begins with the cessation of the creation of new businesses in Russia and Belarus.
Next, within a few days, Upwork will block the creation of new accounts, create new contracts by clients and freelancers in Russia and Belarus, and remove them from visibility in Upwork’s search system.
Upwork promises to work with affected clients and freelancers if they move to another country. They also pledged to consider returning to the region once the geopolitical issues are resolved.
Upwork announced the following direct actions in favor of Ukraine:
- “Donate $1 million to Direct Relief International to support the people of Ukraine.
- Product improvements that make it easier for Ukrainian freelancers to maintain the career they worked so hard to build, whether or not they are currently able to work.
- A program that makes it easier for clients to maintain existing relationships with Ukrainian talent and provide them with financial assistance.
- A $100,000 matching program for donations from our own team members to help with humanitarian relief in Ukraine. “
Upwork joins the action of the world community
Upwork is the latest group to suspend operations in Russia and act in support of Ukraine. It joins other groups in the freelance community like Shutterstock in announcing initiatives to directly support Ukrainian relief efforts and oppose Russia’s “unprovoked” aggression against Ukraine.
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Read the official Upwork announcement
Upwork Statement on Invasion of Ukraine and Operations in Russia and Belarus
