Russian government opposes ban on remote work for IT employees abroad

Russia’s Digital Development Ministry opposes a legislative ban on remote work for employees of Russian IT companies who live outside of Russia.

“Introducing a total ban could slow the pace of development of digital platforms and solutions, which would ultimately negatively impact their competitiveness,” Interfax quotes a ministry representative as saying. “Our task is to use all the available intellectual potential of developers to introduce new digital services. In the end, the winner will be whoever can attract the most talented people, including those located abroad.”

The Ministry supports the ban on remote work for developers of government information systems.

On December 14, publication Verstka reported that the State Duma would introduce a law limiting the rights of Russian citizens who have left the country to work remotely in the Russian Federation. Senator Andrey Klishas, one of the intiative’s developers, confirmed the information.

The bill is expected to cover workers in cybersecurity, state employees, members of several transport sectors, and other areas which deal with classified information. Verstka’s sources say the document will affect Russians who left the country amid war and mobilization, and is certain to pass.

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