Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, French digital companies have been in a state of crisis, well beyond the risks of cyberattacks. A relatively modest market, the country was on the other hand an important work center for computer science, engineering or video game groups, attracted by the skills of young Ukrainian graduates at salary costs two to three times lower than in Western Europe.
French companies that had offices in Ukraine have spent the last twelve days in anguish. With one urgency: to shelter their employees. “We are devastated” Ubisoft management was moved in a message published on February 24, the first day of the Russian invasion. The video game publisher, present in Ukraine since 2008, has offices in Kiev and Odessa (south), two cities targeted by the Russian army. Ubisoft says it has, as of mid-February, “recommended that all teams take refuge in a place they considered safe”. “Each member of the team has received additional funds to help cover exceptional costs and have been paid their salaries upfront to account for any potential disruptions to banking systems”continues the video game publisher.
Ubisoft has made it available “alternative accommodation in neighboring countries where [ses] colleagues and their families can take refuge if they wish and if they have the possibility”. 1is March, Ubisoft decided to suspend its activities in Russia.
“Financial, medical and material aid”
Also very present on the spot, notably in Kharkiv (East), Gameloft “has implemented several measures to ensure financial stability for its employees on site by maintaining salaries, with payment in advance of March, and through an additional donation of 600,000 euros”.
In IT and consulting, Capgemini, which used its Ukrainian offices, inherited from the acquisition of Altran in 2020, as a service production center for international clients, also offered its 1,500 Ukrainian employees and their family of relocation solutions in Ukraine or in a neighboring country, with payment of their costs. “A reception center has been created in Poland”, where Capgemini has 10,000 employees, “with financial, medical and material aid”, adds a spokesperson for the digital services group.
Same anxiety at Teleperformance and its 364 Ukrainian employees. “In agreement with all affected customers, all on-site operations in Ukraine have been suspended, and, where possible, transferred to other sites in the region,” explains the group of call centers, which “commits to paying wages and protecting jobs” of its employees.
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