It is not common for a protest to interrupt one of the main arteries that connect the East with the West of Mexico City for more than five hours, nor is it common for workers from this institution to leave their desks to go out to demonstrate.
“Fortunately, the country always has income from tax collection and we meet our goals every month and every year, but we have seen a fairly considerable reduction in our salary,” says Jorge, an administrative worker, who decides to cover his face for fear of reprisals.
The worker explains that in the demonstration they are requesting better hours, payment of overtime, productivity bonuses and a retroactive bonus, to which – from their perspective – they are entitled, but which was decided to withdraw due to the policy implemented by the federal government regarding “austerity.”
“It is not much (the bonus) but it is very significant for us. We are not thieves, nor are we in favor of a (political) party. We do not ask for privileges, but for fair treatment,” he explains to Expansionsupported by his colleagues from the areas of Transportation, Audit, Legal, Collection, Taxpayer Services, User Service, among others.
Minimized
Mary, a worker in the Audit area at SAT Oriente, comments that both the institution and its employees are often seen as the “villains” for their tax collection work. However, behind this perception there are people who also face precariousness and seek fairer conditions.
At the demonstration, some people insult them, others do so on social networks. Added to this, he affirms, is that his protest has been minimized even by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
“We are carrying out a peaceful strike, this means that we stop collecting, we stop collecting taxes, those are income for the State and what does it mean? That there are no longer services, supports, scholarships and pensions,” he explains.
In the distance, a SAT worker asks users and taxpayers for an apology and their understanding for the closure of the facilities.
“I assure you that this is also for you, to give you a better service, with rested people, who did go home. They are not treating us well,” he says.
