IMF chief Christine Lagarde has been in the eye of the storm recently for offensive comments on tax-dodging Greeks. Lagarde claimed she felt more concerned about African children who had inadequate health and education whilst Greeks have been avoiding paying taxes for years. While it is not clear whether it is quite the same thing that average citizens avoid paying taxes to make ends meet, that rich people do the same, the fact is that the IMF and Greek politicians had know for years about tax irregularities in Greece.

However, it is shocking that Lagarde justifies extremely harsh and inhuman austerity packages on Greeks whilst she does not pay taxes herself. According to The Independent, www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/anger-over-christine, Lagarde earns a salary of 467,940 US dollars increased every year according to inflation. She also receives an allowance of 83,760 dollars payable without justification, and because of her diplomatic status she does not have to pay taxes.

While people in Greece are commiting suicide due to the harsh economic measures imposed by the institution to which Lagarde belongs, her comments about Greeks tax avoidance sound utterly objectionable and disrespectful to say the least.