Germany pays salaries for 12,000 local employees in the U.S. military amid the budget crisis in Washington
The German federal government announced that it will take over the salaries of about 12,000 local employees working in the ranks of the U.S. military in Germany, in a move aimed at preventing wage stoppages due to the ongoing budget crisis in Washington. The decision came three weeks after the start of the government shutdown in the United States, which began on October 1 after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on a new budget.
In the United States, the shutdown forced thousands of federal employees into unpaid leave, raising concerns among local civilian workers for the U.S. Army in Germany. These employees, who handle administrative, logistical, and technical tasks, feared their salaries would also stop. This week, the German Federal Ministry of Finance (Bundesministerium der Finanzen) confirmed that it would temporarily take responsibility for paying their wages.
This move came after strong pressure from the Verdi labor union and the Social Democratic Party politician Alexander Schweitzer, the governor of Rhineland-Palatinate, where about 6,300 of these employees work at U.S. military bases. The Verdi union had called on the federal government to act quickly, emphasizing that German law does not allow for delays in salaries — even if the employer is a foreign entity.
Schweitzer said: "I would like to thank the Federal Minister of Finance for his quick and decisive response," adding that he was on a visit to Washington as part of an official delegation when the government shutdown was announced. He explained: "The fact that the American shutdown may affect the payment of salaries to civilian employees at U.S. military bases in Rhineland-Palatinate represents a completely new development."
According to a statement issued by Schaefer's office, the United States will be obligated to repay the amounts paid by Germany as soon as the budget dispute in Washington is resolved. Until then, Berlin's intervention ensures that thousands of German workers supporting U.S. military operations will continue to receive their salaries without interruption.