Staff Reporter :
The government on Monday issued a gazette notification declaring all categories of positions under the National Board of Revenue (NBR) as essential services, following a wave of protests and a complete work stoppage by revenue officials.
According to the gazette, signed by Labour Secretary AHM Shafiquzzaman, all roles within customs houses, inland container depots (ICDs), container depots, and bonded warehouses under the NBR have been designated essential, as they are critical to maintaining key state functions and managing the financial system.
“In the public interest, and under the authority granted by Section 3, Sub-section (1) of the Essential Services (Second) Ordinance, 1958, the government hereby declares all categories of jobs in these departments under the NBR as essential services,” the notification stated.
The decision came a day after the interim government announced that steps would be taken to ensure uninterrupted import-export and foreign trade operations, which had been severely disrupted by the ongoing strike.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the government urged NBR officials and employees to immediately resume work and refrain from any “illegal and harmful actions against national interests.” It warned that failure to comply could lead to strict measures in order to safeguard the economy and public welfare.
Hours after the statement, the protesting NBR officials called off their strike.
The government’s firm response followed two days of nationwide disruption in customs operations. With revenue and customs offices shut and clearance procedures suspended, import and export activities at key ports came to a standstill, significantly impacting trade.
