NBR staff observe pen-down strike over ordinance
Officials and employees of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) across Bangladesh observed a three-hour pen-down strike yesterday, protesting the government's recent ordinance to dissolve and restructure the country's revenue administration.
The protesters, under the platform "NBR Reform Unity Council", went to their workplaces at tax, VAT, and customs offices nationwide but refrained from doing any work from 10:00am to 1:00pm.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Only international passenger services, export operations, and budget-related activities were exempted from the strike.
The protest follows the government's decision last Monday to form two new wings — Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Implementation Division.
As per the ordinance, the policy division will handle tax policy formulation and setting tariffs, while the implementation division will oversee tax collection and enforcement of rules and regulations.
The strike is part of a three-day protest programme. Further pen-down strikes are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, from 10:00am to 3:00pm
Critics within the customs and income tax cadres argue that the ordinance sidelines experienced tax professionals, transferring policymaking powers to officials from the general administration cadre.
They claim the final ordinance includes only a minor revision from the draft version, slightly narrowing the policy division's scope.
They also argue that the policy division will have to oversee enforcement of tax laws and evaluate collection performance — a provision that blurs the intended separation between policy and implementation.
A protester, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "All other regular functions were suspended during these hours. We will continue the protest until our demands are met."
"This ordinance was issued unilaterally… it does not reflect the opinions of the officials and employees, despite repeated requests for an inclusive dialogue," she added.
The strike is part of a three-day protest programme. Further pen-down strikes are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, from 10:00am to 3:00pm.
The strike in Chattogram led to the suspension of import-related customs clearance and assessment activities at Chattogram Custom House.
Mohammad Saidul Islam, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Custom House, said, "As per the prior decision, all officers and employees observed a three-hour pen-down strike today. Import assessments, examinations, and clearances were suspended during this time."
He added, "Essential services such as exports and airport passenger operations remained outside the purview of the strike.
Normal operations resumed from 1:00pm."
Benapole customs office also observed the strike for the three hours.
In a statement, the platform said a timely and sustainable reform of the country's revenue administration was crucial in the interest of the nation.
Officials and employees across the NBR have long been advocating for reforms, but not in the form of the ordinance, they said.
"Despite being one of the most important stakeholders in this process, thousands of officers and employees from the customs and tax services were not consulted," said the platform.
"Furthermore, the recommendations made by the government-formed reform committee were neither published nor discussed," it added.
"Instead, an ordinance was issued to implement reforms that, according to the unity council, will create chaos in the country's revenue system," it said.
The platform sincerely apologised to taxpayers and service-seekers for the temporary inconvenience.
Several key members of the BCS Customs and VAT Association — including the vice president, general secretary, treasurer, and joint general secretary — have resigned from the executive committee, said the statement.
It was in protest of the indifference towards the interests of the country, the people, and the service, as well as for other reasons, it said.
Similarly, various officials holding different positions in the Executive Committee of the BCS (Taxation) Association are also gradually resigning from their posts, it said.
On Tuesday, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed dismissed fears that the dissolution of the NBR would disrupt revenue collection and hurt the interests of the tax cadre officials.
"The interests of revenue officials have been safeguarded. A very small division to frame tax policy will be established. So, they have no reason to be worried," he said.
"There will be no effect on revenue collection. It increased 2 percentage points year-on-year in the current fiscal year of 2024-25. So, it is not frustrating. Tax collection will not be lower than the previous year," he said.
Taskeen Ahmed, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said, "We had long been expecting and demanding that the government separate the NBR's management and policy wings."
"From our association and the broader trade body, we've welcomed this step. While we don't know all the details of the structural changes, any internal reshuffling is ultimately their matter," he said.
Ahmed said there may well be legitimate grievances, and the government should listen. But if the demands are irrational, then as government employees, they must comply with official decisions, he said.
"The NBR is the central institution for Bangladesh's national revenue. If an indefinite deadlock sets in, we certainly don't support that. The government should immediately open dialogue and resolve this," he urged.
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