STAR BUSINESS REPORT

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.

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.

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.