President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa addressed the ongoing ‘crisis’ at Lajes Air Base on Friday, where approximately 420 workers have reported not receiving their semi-monthly wages since “the last fortnight of September” due to a U.S. government shutdown.
While visiting the Azores, home to the Portuguese Air Force base, Marcelo was asked about the government’s stance conveyed on Thursday, claiming it is “not involved” in the situation but plans to conduct an “assessment.”
“I know they are considering [solutions], but I won’t comment on it. It would be the first step in complicating those considerations,” he said.
The head of state justified his ‘silence’ by emphasizing the government’s responsibility in this case, given its competencies related to international relations: “It is crucial for those with the competence to handle and monitor this matter – the government of the republic in constant dialogue with the regional government and with the President’s knowledge – to have the freedom to assess the situation before considering what needs to be done.”
“How could I say I distrusted the Portuguese state, right?”
When asked if he is concerned about the situation, Marcelo was firm: “When workers face this kind of situation, there is reason for concern, but there is also reason to hope that paths and solutions will be found to overcome it.”
The Lisbon-Washington relationship was also tested, as Marcelo was questioned about whether the Portuguese state was doing everything within its power to resolve the issue. “Without a doubt. I do not distrust the Portuguese state. After all, I represent the Portuguese state as the supreme magistrate. How could I say I distrusted the Portuguese state, right?”
Regarding this situation, the Ministries of Defense and Foreign Affairs reiterated in a joint statement on Thursday that the government is “not involved” in the payment delays to Portuguese workers at Lajes Base, though they assured they are “assessing solutions.”
In a note to newsrooms, the ministries explained that the recent shutdown in the U.S. has caused delays in the payment of part of the salaries due to Portuguese workers at Lajes Base in the Azores, issued by the U.S. authorities who employ them.
The Portuguese government referred to the U.S. government’s shutdown, caused by a deadlock between Republicans and Democrats over federal funding approval. The shutdown has lasted three weeks.
Given this, the government “is not involved in the described situation, but it is naturally concerned about the impact of this delay on the affected workers and their families.”
