Impact of U.S. Government Shutdown Felt by Workers in Europe
MADRID — The longest U.S. government shutdown on record is causing more than just a stall in domestic functions. Over in Europe, workers at U.S. military bases are starting to experience significant challenges.
Since the shutdown began about six weeks ago, at least 2,000 employees across various locations in Europe have seen their paychecks withheld. In some instances, the host countries of these bases have stepped in to assist financially, hoping that the U.S. will eventually reimburse them. However, in countries like Italy and Portugal, local workers are simply continuing their jobs without compensation as the shutdown persists.
“It’s a ridiculous situation—nobody seems to be taking responsibility,” expressed Angelo Zaccaria, a union representative at Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy.
Zaccaria mentioned the serious effects this situation is having on local employees in Italy.
Diverse Range of Roles
Jobs held by foreign workers at U.S. military sites around the globe include food services, construction, logistics, and maintenance, along with several more specialized functions. These foreign nationals may be employed directly by the U.S. government or through private contractors.
The payment methods for local employees differ by country, based on specific agreements the U.S. government has with each host nation, according to Amber Kelly Herold, a spokesperson for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa.
During the shutdown, Herold stated that local workers are still expected to fulfill their roles as outlined in their contracts.
The Pentagon was contacted for details regarding the pay suspensions but only provided a brief statement denying any wrongdoing.
“We value the essential contributions of local national employees across the globe,” the statement read, without any further elaboration.
Financial Strain on Overseas Bases
The German Ministry of Finance has announced measures to ensure salaries for around 11,000 military personnel at U.S. bases there. Facilities in Germany, including Ramstein Air Base—a major operational hub for the Middle East and Africa—are vital to these efforts.
On the other hand, not all locations have received similar support.
According to Zaccaria, over 4,600 Italians work at five U.S. military bases in Italy. Unfortunately, with more than 900 employees at Aviano and Vicenza, plus another 400 in Livorno, many have not seen any pay since the start of the shutdown.
“We are pressing for urgent action; our workers are struggling to pay their mortgages, support their families, and even cover gas for their commutes,” Zaccaria noted, adding that the union has sought help from the Italian government, even as affected individuals continue to show up for work.
“Sadly, there seems to be little political will to address this situation,” he said.
A similar predicament is unfolding in Portugal at the Lajes field base, where over 360 local workers report they haven’t been paid. Paula Tela, leading the workers’ committee there, indicated that the agreement between the U.S. and Portugal does not permit furloughs, which discourages workers from staying home.
However, this week, the local government in the Azores has approved a bank loan to facilitate interim payments for these workers. Tela is now awaiting clarity on when the funds will become available.
A spokesperson from the Treasury Department remarked that Germany anticipates reimbursement when the shutdown resolves, mentioning that civilians were compensated during past shutdowns.
The Associated Press was unable to confirm if nations like Poland, Lithuania, and Greenland are taking similar actions to support their local workforce.
Vulnerable Workforce
According to Linda Birmes, a public policy expert at the Harvard Kennedy School, local workers serving as contractors at U.S. military bases are often the most vulnerable when it comes to pay loss during government shutdowns.
He pointed out that while full-time employees, including some foreign nationals, typically receive compensation, contractors may not always enjoy that same assurance. Some may even include additional fees in their contracts to prepare for potential funding interruptions.
“But nobody anticipated a delay of this magnitude,” Birmes remarked.
In Spain, where the U.S. operates bases in Moron and Rota, a union representing over 1,000 Spanish workers announced last month that payment issues had been addressed with assistance from the Spanish government.
Spain’s Ministry of Defense, however, has not responded to multiple inquiries to verify its involvement in sorting out the pay disputes.
