Civilian workers at the US military base in the Italian city of Aviano received letters from the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is headed by Elon Musk, demanding to provide reports on their work. About this informs Messagero Veneto.
There are 768 Italians working at the base in Aviano, of which 150 are in the US Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), about 20 are in schools, and the rest are in the services of the 31st Fighter Regiment. In the messages, the Italian workers were asked to describe their activities for the previous week in five points.
AAFES and school staff have been asked to respond to the letters received, while fighter jet services have decided to wait for further clarification.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced at the end of February that such letters from the Department under the leadership of Musk will be received from March. He emphasized that civilian employees of his department are obliged to respond to an electronic request within 48 hours of receipt.
Hegset warned that ignoring the letters could lead to “further scrutiny”. At the same time, Musk himself previously stated that repeated refusal to provide an answer could be grounds for dismissal.
Italian trade unions protested against such methods of control and sent an official request to the president of the US Interagency Negotiating Commission, demanding an explanation. They emphasized that the Italian workers do not receive any of the economic benefits provided for US federal employees, but are required to report as if they had that status.
