What's Happening?
The Italian government is actively engaging with U.S. authorities to address the issue of unpaid wages for local staff at American military bases in Italy, due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Approximately 2,000 Italian employees, primarily at Aviano
Air Base and the Vicenza army base, have not received their October salaries, despite being employed under Italian work contracts. The Italian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that discussions are underway with the U.S. embassy in Rome, and the U.S. Army and Air Force are considering using their own funds to pay these workers. Meanwhile, Italian workers at U.S. Navy bases have been paid on time, as the Navy operates under different financial rules compared to the Army and Air Force.
Why It's Important?
The situation highlights the broader impact of the U.S. government shutdown, which has left millions of federal workers without paychecks and disrupted various services, including critical food aid and airline travel. The unpaid wages for Italian workers at U.S. military bases underscore the international ramifications of domestic U.S. policy decisions. Resolving this issue is crucial not only for the affected employees but also for maintaining diplomatic relations between Italy and the United States. The Italian government's intervention reflects the importance of ensuring financial stability for its citizens employed by foreign entities.
What's Next?
The U.S. Army and Air Force are currently examining the possibility of using their own funds to pay the Italian employees, as confirmed by the U.S. embassy in Rome. The resolution of this issue may depend on the duration of the U.S. government shutdown and the ability of military branches to allocate funds independently. The Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has urged swift action, regardless of when the shutdown ends, indicating ongoing diplomatic efforts to expedite the payment process.
