The unprecedented U.S. government shutdown, now in its sixth week, is not only disrupting domestic operations but also creating significant challenges for local workers at American military bases across Europe. Over 2,000 employees in countries such as Italy, Portugal, and Germany have experienced salary interruptions, with some host governments stepping in to cover payments temporarily. In Italy, union coordinator Angelo Zaccaria described the situation as ‘absurd,’ with workers struggling to meet basic financial obligations like mortgages and childcare. Similarly, in Portugal, over 360 workers at the Lajes Field base have gone unpaid, though the Azores regional government has approved a loan to provide interim relief. Germany has also intervened to pay nearly 11,000 civilian employees at U.S. bases, expecting reimbursement once the shutdown ends. Experts like Harvard professor Linda Bilmes highlight that contractors are particularly vulnerable during such shutdowns, as they are not always guaranteed back pay. While Spain has resolved payment delays for its workers, other countries like Poland, Lithuania, and Greenland remain silent on their involvement. The prolonged shutdown underscores the far-reaching consequences of political gridlock in Washington, leaving thousands of workers in limbo.
US government shutdown forces local workers at some overseas bases to go without pay
