NATO troops stationed in Latvia are “suffocating and vomiting” due to carbon monoxide inhalation, it has been claimed.
The alliance’s mission is to deter and defend against Russian aggression, involving a multinational brigade, military base and training area.
Many of the 600 Spanish soldiers involved in this operation are mechanics tasked with maintaining and repairing any damage the tanks may sustain.
The Spanish Troops and Sailors Association (ATME) claimed the Ministry of Defence supplied the personnel assigned to these tasks with substandard safety equipment and materials.
Marco Antonio Gomez, president of ATME, told Infobae Spain: “The extraction system doesn’t work, and they have to keep the warehouses open in the middle of winter.
“The mechanics are suffocating; they are constantly breathing carbon monoxide. People are vomiting, have headaches, nausea and respiratory problems.”
ATME’s main grievances include boots and work overalls ill-suited for cold weather, such as the harsh Latvian winter, and gloves designed for masonry work, which differ from those required by a mechanic.
Mr Gomez said: “The earplugs imagine the deafening sound of the vehicles inside the workshops are made of disposable foam when they should have helmets to protect against such loud noise, which then affects the soldiers’ hearing.”
He added that the troops deployed in Latvia have been made to sign a document stating that they have been provided with protective glasses, but these have not yet been provided.
The head of ATME, an association advocating for the rights of ranks in the armed forces, has accused the Ministry of Defence of “not paying any attention to the prevention of occupational risks.”
Mr Gomez said: “In any company, this would lead to disciplinary proceedings, and anyone would be taken down, but it seems that in the Army, as we are soldiers, we have to put up with anything.”
There is also discontent among the soldiers stationed due to a significant reduction in the salary supplements they receive for participating in an international operation.
Gomez concluded: “They were going to receive an amount according to the allowance corresponding to the Latvian mission, but now, due to a new ministerial order, they will be included in the allowances of the Slovak mission. This means between 15% and 30% less pay.”
NATO has been contacted for comment.
