NBR activities disrupted as officials continue work abstention

For the second consecutive day, National Board of Revenue (NBR) officials are abstaining from work to press a four-point demand, including the repeal of a new ordinance, disrupting overseas trade and revenue-related activities across the country.

The protest began after the NBR Reform Unity Council rejected the finance ministry's promise that it would amend the Revenue Policy and Revenue Management Ordinance, which seeks to dissolve the NBR and form two divisions separating tax policymaking from administration.

The protesting officials of tax, customs and VAT began to abstain from work from 9 am today, as most of them gathered near the main entrance of the NBR headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, effectively bringing operations of the agency to a halt.

They were seen chanting slogans and holding placards, while law enforcement personnel took precautionary positions around the protest site.
Officials said similar demonstrations are taking place at NBR offices across the country.

Photo: Collected

No work, except export-related activities and services for international passengers, is being carried out at customs houses. Staff at field offices for VAT and income tax are also abstaining from work, they added.

Protesters warned of a complete shutdown of services from tomorrow unless their demands are met.

This marks the ninth day of protests since the interim government issued the ordinance on May 12.

The ordinance seeks to form two separate divisions, one for tax policy and the other for revenue collection, which the government says is meant to prevent conflicts of interest between policymaking and implementation. NBR officials claim the provisions are discriminatory.

The demonstrations resumed late last week after negotiations between the officials and the government failed. The ongoing protest has been disrupting imports, tax-related activities, and revenue collection, raising concerns about the NBR's ability to meet its fiscal year targets.

On Thursday, the finance ministry softened its stance and said it would bring the "required amendments" to the ordinance.

In a statement issued later that day, protesting employees welcomed the announcement but said it fell short of addressing their core demands.