Russian workers at foreign auto plants face uncertain road ahead as production idles indefinitely, 10 June 2022

...Most foreign automakers in Russia have halted production indefinitely, if not exiting the country completely, in the wake of sweeping Western sanctions...

The sanctions have banned or complicated the import of key car components including microprocessors, or chips.

Russian auto production fell by an astounding 97 percent in May compared with the same period last year.

Thousands of Russians employed by foreign automakers are caught in the crosshairs and wondering what the future holds for them.

"People are waiting for what will happen next," Sergei, a worker at Nissan's plant in St. Petersburg, told RFE/RL, adding that his co-workers for now were "not discouraged."

When and whether foreign companies like Nissan resume production will almost certainly depend on the course of the conflict in Ukraine...

Foreign auto companies employed nearly 10,000 people in St. Petersburg and about 7,000 in Kaluga prior to the war. Nearly all of the workers have been furloughed.

Foreign auto producers in St. Petersburg continue to pay employees at least two-thirds of their salaries while they monitor political developments...