Return to work or face stern action, govt warns protesters as NBR jobs declared 'essential services'
The government made the announcement in a statement today (29 June)
Highlights:
- Govt declares all NBR jobs as essential services
- Officials warned of strict action if they don't return to work
- Nationwide shutdown halts customs, VAT, and tax services
- Protests sparked by May ordinance dissolving NBR
- Protesters demand NBR chairman's resignation
Amid the "complete shutdown" programme of NBR officials, the interim government has declared all categories of jobs under the National Board of Revenue (NBR) — including customs houses, ICDs, bond commissionerates, and all customs stations — as "essential services" and warned of stern action if officials do not return to work.
The decision was taken in the interest of ensuring uninterrupted import-export and foreign trade operations, the government said in a statement today (29 June).
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"Officials and employees should return to work immediately and refrain from illegal and destructive activities against national interests. Otherwise, the government will be forced to take strict action to protect the people and the economy of the country," reads the statement.
Officials and employees protesting under the banner of NBR Reform Unity Parishad have been observing their "complete shutdown" programme since yesterday, demanding structural reforms of the NBR and the resignation of its chairman.
Their protests began last month after the government issued an ordinance on 12 May dissolving the NBR and the Internal Resources Division, replacing them with the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division.
Due to the "complete shutdown", all customs, VAT, and income tax services across the country, except international passenger service, have been suspended. Import and export operations, particularly at major hubs like Chattogram Customs House, have come to a halt.
Under the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1952 and the Essential Services (Second) Ordinance, 1958, a shutdown of services deemed essential can be banned. The law allows the government to declare certain jobs as essential, and prohibits actions that would disrupt essential services, such as strikes, lockouts, or layoffs.
In the statement, the government said Bangladesh's biggest challenge in implementing development-oriented budgetary activities is the weak revenue collection structure. "The amount of revenue collected remains significantly lower than the state's requirements, primarily due to inefficiencies, irregularities and corruption within the revenue collection system."
The government expressed deep concern over attempts by a "section of NBR officials and employees" to obstruct the ongoing revenue reforms.
"For the past two months, in the guise of a movement, they have severely disrupted trade, imports, exports and revenue collection activities, causing widespread public suffering. Such actions are entirely unacceptable," reads the statement.
The statement further mentions that beyond resisting reforms, the agitating officials have seriously hampered revenue collection during the last two months of the fiscal year. "This so-called movement is pre-planned and ill-intentioned, posing a direct threat to national interests and the rights of citizens."
The government reiterated that it had made clear announcements to consider the demands of NBR officials and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis.
"They, however, rejected this offer and have continued to harm the economy with their rigid stance under the banner of a movement, rather than seeking an acceptable solution through discussions," adds the statement.
