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The longest U.S. government shutdown in history is creating ripple effects well beyond American borders, as thousands of foreign workers at U.S. military bases across Europe face mounting financial pressure from delayed or interrupted salaries.
Nearly six weeks into the shutdown, the situation has grown dire for many local employees who provide essential services at these overseas installations. Their roles span food service, construction, logistics, maintenance, and other specialized functions critical to base operations.
“It’s an absurd situation because nobody has responses, nobody feels responsible,” said Angelo Zaccaria, a union coordinator at the Aviano Air Base in northeastern Italy. “This is having dramatic effects on us Italian workers.”
In Italy alone, more than 4,600 nationals work at five U.S. bases across the country. Approximately 2,000 workers, primarily at installations in Aviano and Vicenza, received no pay in October, according to Italy’s foreign ministry. The ministry confirmed it has raised the issue with U.S. officials, noting that the U.S. Army and Air Force are discussing using their own funds to cover these salaries.
“There are workers struggling to pay their mortgages, to support their children or even to pay the fuel to come to work,” Zaccaria explained, highlighting the growing personal toll of the political stalemate in Washington.
The German government has taken a different approach, stepping in to pay nearly 11,000 local employees working at U.S. military facilities in the country, including the strategically vital Ramstein Air Base. German officials expect full reimbursement once the shutdown ends, citing precedent from previous, shorter government funding gaps.
In Portugal’s Azores archipelago, over 360 Portuguese workers at Lajes Field continued reporting for duty despite not receiving paychecks. Paula Terra, who leads the base workers’ committee, explained that these employees face a particularly difficult situation since furloughs aren’t legally recognized under the U.S.-Portugal agreement governing the base. Staying away from work could expose them to disciplinary action.
The Azores regional government has recently approved a bank loan to temporarily cover salaries while awaiting U.S. funding to resume. Terra indicated she’s waiting for information about when workers can access these emergency funds.
How local employees are paid at U.S. overseas bases varies significantly by country, based on specific agreements between the U.S. government and each host nation, according to Amber Kelly-Herard, a public affairs spokesperson for U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Africa. During the shutdown, these workers are expected to continue performing their duties in accordance with their contracts.
When questioned about the pay disruptions, Pentagon officials provided only a brief statement that didn’t directly address the issue: “We value the important contributions of our local national employees around the world.” Officials declined to answer follow-up questions about when or how these workers might receive their back pay.
Linda Bilmes, a public finance expert at Harvard Kennedy School, noted that contractors at U.S. military bases typically face the highest risk during government shutdowns. While the U.S. government has historically reimbursed full-time employees, including foreign nationals at overseas facilities, contractors don’t always receive the same consideration. Some contractors build additional fees into their agreements to offset potential government funding disruptions.
“But I doubt anyone anticipated this length of delay,” Bilmes observed.
In Spain, where the U.S. operates the Moron and Rota military bases, a union representing more than 1,000 Spanish workers reported that early payment delays had been resolved last month with assistance from the Spanish government, though Spain’s defense ministry did not confirm its role in addressing the situation.
As the shutdown continues with no immediate resolution in sight, thousands of workers crucial to U.S. military operations abroad remain caught in financial uncertainty, highlighting how domestic political disputes can quickly transform into international concerns affecting America’s global military presence and relationships with host nations.
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10 Comments
Delaying or withholding pay from local workers at overseas military bases is a terrible consequence of the prolonged government shutdown. These employees are essential to base operations and should not suffer due to political dysfunction in Washington.
Absolutely. The U.S. government has an ethical obligation to uphold its commitments to these workers, regardless of the domestic political situation. This is damaging international relations and goodwill.
This is a concerning development. The U.S. government needs to take responsibility for the foreign workers at its military bases and ensure they continue to receive their salaries, regardless of the domestic political situation. Failing to do so undermines America’s global standing.
Absolutely. The U.S. has an ethical obligation to uphold its commitments to these essential workers. Leaving them without pay is unacceptable and could damage international relationships and cooperation.
It’s concerning to see the ripple effects of the U.S. government shutdown reaching overseas military bases and impacting local workers. The U.S. needs to find a way to ensure these essential employees are paid on time and in full.
Agreed. The U.S. has a responsibility to uphold its commitments to these workers, who are not party to the political disputes in Washington. Leaving them without pay is unfair and damaging to America’s international reputation.
This is an unfortunate situation for the local workers at U.S. military bases overseas. They provide critical services and should not have to bear the brunt of the U.S. government shutdown. I hope the U.S. military can find a way to cover their salaries until the impasse is resolved.
Agreed. These workers are caught in the middle of a political dispute they have no control over. The U.S. needs to take responsibility and ensure they are paid for their vital work.
The prolonged government shutdown is creating real hardship for local workers at U.S. military bases overseas. These employees provide critical support services and should not be left without pay due to political gridlock in the U.S.
The U.S. government shutdown is having far-reaching impacts, including on foreign workers at military bases who rely on their paychecks. This is an unacceptable situation that needs to be resolved promptly to avoid further hardship.