Death and– uh– transgender tax collectors?
In this video on the New York Times site today, it’s reported that Pakistan has a big problem with members of the upper class not paying their taxes. And so, to humiliate scofflaws into paying their taxes, the Pakistani government is sending in transgender tax collectors. According to the reporter, “The theory is that people will be so embarassed, that they’ll finally pay up, just in order to make them go away.”
Another giant step forward for my people.
Oh well. If this whole professor of English thing doesn’t pan out, now I know I have a backup plan. Collecting taxes. In Islamabad.
Come to think of it, there are plenty of people in America who would pay good money to have me go away.
5 Comments
Jaysus Boylan..I never had ya pegged as Pakistani.
Oh right. I’ll get me coat.
How did they get transgender folks to agree to this? Or are they just pretending to send out transgender tax collectors?
Actually Claudia, it was/is probably fairly easy as the vast majority of transwomen in Pakistan are unemployed, outcast by families and discriminated against. So, since your trans status is public knowledge, why not work for the government and earn money in ways different than what transwomen have available? It may not help your status but it sure helps your life.
This sounds like an enlightened nation. At last, a government
that is providing employment opportunities for trans people!
I’m always the eternal optimist! At least there was some good coming out of this, all thought at the end “arrangements” were made that “no hard feelings” were left with either party after a secret meeting?? Optimism at that point becomes moot?