Staff Reporter :
Officials of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) across the country observed pen-down strike in protest against the government’s ordinance to abolish organisation and establish two new divisions.
Besides, to customs and tax cadre officers, employees at all tax, VAT, and customs offices nationwide participated in a three-hour pen-down strike, disrupting revenue-related activities across the country, sources said.
The ‘NBR Reform Unity Council’ – a platform formed by officials of the two cadres – announced that two more pen-down strike programmes will be held on Thursday (15 May) and Saturday (17 May).
Further programmes will be announced on Saturday, said the council in a press release.
However, the council clarified that international passenger services, export activities, and work related to national budget preparation will remain outside the perview of the protest.
Officials have expressed deep concern over the recently promulgated revenue ordinance, which they claim was imposed without consulting the thousands of officers and employees in the customs and taxation services – despite being key stakeholders in the reform process.
They also noted that the government-formed reform committee’s recommendations have not yet been made public or subjected to any meaningful discussion.
Sadhan Kumar Kundu, additional commissioner of the Customs, Excise and VAT Commissionerate, Dhaka South, told The Business Standard (TBS), “The pen-down programme was held spontaneously. It will continue for two more days. After that, we will determine the next course of action.”
The government issued the ordinance late Monday night, reportedly in response to demands from business communities, experts, and international development partners. The ordinance dissolved the NBR and established two separate entities – Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division.
Most customs and tax officials have voiced concerns that they may become further cornered by administrative cadre officials.
Mass resignations from two associations
In the wake of the protest, mass resignations have reportedly begun within two associations representing customs and tax cadre officers.
A tax department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 25 out of 41 executive committee members of BCS Taxation Association had resigned as of Wednesday afternoon, citing “personal reasons.”
Additionally, the vice president, general secretary, treasurer, joint secretary, and several other key members of the executive committee of the BCS Customs and VAT Association have resigned from their posts.
