NN Online:
The full-scale nationwide strike by officers and employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) entered its second day on Sunday, as protesters vowed to continue until their four-point demand is met.
The strike, enforced under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council, began at 9:00 AM and will continue until 5:00 PM. It covers all Income Tax, Customs, and VAT offices across the country, with Customs Houses and LC (Letter of Credit) stations remaining operational.
Protesting officials have declared they will not return to work unless the government fulfills their key demands:
Withdrawal of the ordinance that dissolves the NBR
Removal of the current NBR Chairman, Abdur Rahman Khan
Public release of the Revenue Reform Advisory Committee’s recommendations on the NBR website
Implementation of effective and sustainable revenue reforms through stakeholder consultation and review
The unrest stems from the interim government’s decision to restructure the NBR. In response, the Unity Council launched an initial strike on April 29, followed by a large demonstration involving several hundred tax officials at the NBR headquarters in Dhaka.
During this period, protestors met with NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan to raise their objections and call for a reconsideration of the proposed reforms.
Despite the protests, the government moved forward, officially dissolving the NBR on May 13, 2025, and establishing two new bodies — the Revenue Policy Division (RPD) and the Revenue Management Division (RMD). The move has deepened frustration among officials, who see it as a threat to their roles and the integrity of the tax system.
Following a brief suspension of the pen-down strike on May 19, protestors resumed their action. On Wednesday, they announced a fresh series of programs, including continued non-cooperation with the NBR chairman.
The strike continues to disrupt administrative operations across the revenue sector, with no immediate resolution in sight.
