The Trump administration is advising people who work for the federal government, who are not getting paid due to Trump’s stupid government shutdown tantrum, to literally *barter with their landlords* and offer to paint or do labor in exchange for partial rent.
Yes, really.
Feds, here are sample letters you may use as a guide when working with your creditors during this furlough. If you need legal advice please consult with your personal attorney. https://t.co/t6h6OzALsS
— OPM (@USOPM) December 27, 2018
OPM is the federal agency that oversees federal workers.
Their advice for the 800,000 furloughed workers who are on day 7 with no pay: Try bartering for your rent.
The link in the tweet above provides sample letters in *.doc form (super insecure!) that furloughed workers are advised to mail to their landlords, if they can’t make their rent payments.
One of these sample letter templates suggests barting handyman services in exchange for rent money.
“I would like to discuss with you the possibility of trading my services to perform maintenance (e.g. painting, carpentry work) in exchange for partial rent payments,” the letter states.
No word on whether trading sex or other illicit services is off the table, because honestly, we all gotta sleep somewhere right?
The letter also asks landlords if they would consider reducing rent because of the government shutdown.
OPM also tells furloughed workers to “consult with your personal attorney” if they need legal advice when dealing with creditors.
[IMAGE: Two men with children, being evicted, stand with their possessions on the sidewalk, circa 1910, on the Lower East Side of New York City. George Grantham Bain, BAIN NEWS SERVICE, via LOC. About]