Why does any government employee receive a Per-D-M?

Answer 1

First of all, it is "per diem." This refers to a special "government" rate that they can spend per day when they travel. That includes the amount that they are authorized to spend on hotels, food, beverage and entertainment per day.

See the website below for the per diem rates for different regions throughout the US.

The reason, as far as I can tell, is to keep government spending on employee travel at a minimum. I can tell you from the hotels I work at that per diem is always lower than the rates we can get from corporations and associations, and that not all hotels offer the per diem rate year round.

Mine do, though, because we love our government travelers!

Answer 2

Per diem payments are expenses. Many employers and the government provide travel and, food and lodging for workers on business trips. These are paid on a per diem, or by the day basis.