MTS, Russia’s largest mobile network operator, tells remote workers to return to Russia from abroad

MTS, Russia’s largest cellular network operator, will no longer let employees work remotely while living abroad, reports the Russian outlet Spectrum, citing sources in the company.

Starting on June 1, the company plans to shut out any employees outside of Russia from online corporate resources. The management is encouraging all staff to return to Russia. If they don’t, their contracts will be terminated, says a current MTS employee.

Another source confirmed that the new policy will apply to all company departments.

Spectrum notes that, although some remote workers are hastily returning to Russia to keep their jobs, others are deterred from coming back by the new conscription bill just passed by the Russian State Duma.

Last January, the Telegram channel Mozhem Obyasnit (“We Can Explain”) wrote that the Russian social media company VK had decided to fire all remote staff who wouldn’t return to Russia. In February, VK formally announced the new policy, arguing that its employees must live in the same environment as the company’s customers, to better understand their needs and the market.