Lilith
11-30-2002, 07:27 PM
NORWAY’S gender equality watchdog is investigating complaints that tax authorities have discriminated against female strippers by charging a higher ticket tax than for men. Norwegian law defines female strippers as "entertainers" while male strippers pay a lower tax rate because they are considered "artists".
"It seems like they are doing the same job," Kristin Mile said. Ms Mile said she received a complaint from a Norwegian booking agent, Magnus Morland, that the all-male, US-based Chippendales only had to a pay a 15 per cent artists’ tax for their tour of Norway this month while his female strippers, also foreigners, pay a 24 per cent tax.
"This is pure discrimination," Mr Morland told the Oslo newspaper Dagbladet. "Chippendales are the highest level in stripping, but what they do, on a larger scale, is exactly the same as what happens at a regular club."
"It seems like they are doing the same job," Kristin Mile said. Ms Mile said she received a complaint from a Norwegian booking agent, Magnus Morland, that the all-male, US-based Chippendales only had to a pay a 15 per cent artists’ tax for their tour of Norway this month while his female strippers, also foreigners, pay a 24 per cent tax.
"This is pure discrimination," Mr Morland told the Oslo newspaper Dagbladet. "Chippendales are the highest level in stripping, but what they do, on a larger scale, is exactly the same as what happens at a regular club."