Multinational companies continue to pay almost 200,000 employees based in Russia despite pledges to suspend or end activities in the country, raising fears of mass sackings or nationalisations as hopes fade for a swift end to war in Ukraine.
A string of western companies from McDonald’s to Renault committed to paying thousands of employees’ wages when they halted operations in the country last month. Analysis by the Financial Times shows that at least 188,000 employees continue to be on payrolls.
The true number is likely to be far higher, as large employers including KFC owner Yum Brands and Coca-Cola have not confirmed whether they are still paying staff.