Elon Musk’s DOGE department freezes NATO base payments in Italy
The United States Government Efficiency Department (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has blocked the business payment cards of employees at the NATO base in Aviano, northern Italy, which is managed by American forces. According to the newspaper Il Messaggero, only one dollar was left on the cards.
The Italian newspaper reported that 60 civilian employees' cards were blocked, specifically in the base's commercial offices in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. All were informed that their cards would be suspended for 30 days.
This decision aims to enhance the transparency of federal purchases at the NATO base. A centralised computer system will now track every transaction, and the number of cards will be reduced.
As reported, the next step is the temporary freezing of civilian workers' passes, with some exceptions. This is the forthcoming action of the DOGE department, led by Elon Musk, toward those employed at the Aviano base.
Reaction of employees and trade unions
A few days earlier, all employees at the Aviano base, both Americans and Italians, received instructions from DOGE to write a report about their work and professional achievements.
This was intended to assess whether they are necessary. Italian trade unions expressed outrage, arguing that local employees are subject to national, not American, regulations.
These decisions have sparked controversy, particularly given the legal differences between Italy and the United States. Italian trade unions emphasise that these actions may contravene national employment regulations.
