NBR officials’ pen-down strike hurting businesses: Ex-BGMEA president

Former BGMEA president Faruque Hassan has voiced concern that the ongoing pen-down strike by field-level officials and staff at income tax, VAT, and customs offices – previously operated under the now-dissolved National Board of Revenue (NBR) – is disrupting business operations.

"We hope that if the two newly created divisions – Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division – are implemented properly after the dissolution of the NBR, they will function effectively," he said during a press conference at a hotel in the capital today, where his panel outlined their stance ahead of the upcoming BGMEA elections.

In response to a question, he said, "Following the events of 5 August 2024, some cases were filed in which even businessmen with relatively clean reputations were implicated. This has had a negative impact on trade and has also raised concerns among international buyers."

The upcoming Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) elections, scheduled for 28 May, will see candidates from two panels – Sammilito Parishad and Forum – competing for 35 director positions. 

Md Abul Kalam, panel leader of Sammilito Parishad, was also present at the press briefing.

NBR's dissolution late Monday night triggered protests from officials in the customs and income tax departments. Since then, they have launched demonstrations in opposition to the government's move and launched a pen-down strike programme from Wednesday across all offices nationwide.

Meanwhile, normal operations at customs houses, VAT, and tax offices across the country have reportedly been disrupted due to the strike.

Work at the country's largest customs station, the Chattogram Custom House, has come to a standstill due to the strike.

According to sources at Chattogram Custom House, approximately 7,000 bills of entry and bills of export are submitted daily – around 2,000 for imports and 5,000 for exports. However, the processing of these documents has come to a complete halt.

ASM Rezaul Karim Swapan, customs affairs secretary of the Chattogram C&F Agents Association, a key stakeholder in port operations, told TBS that all customs clearance activities have been suspended.

Attempts to reach Saidul Islam, deputy commissioner and spokesperson of Chattogram Custom House, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.

However, a customs official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that while staff reported to their offices in the morning, no official work was being conducted. C&F agents, who rely on customs processing to facilitate cargo movement, were also seen idling.

A senior official at Dhaka Customs House told TBS, "Operations resumed as usual after 3pm Thursday [when the strike ended for the day]."

Meanwhile, in a press release today, the NBR Reform Unity Parishad, a coalition of customs and tax cadre officers, stated that NBR reform must be pragmatic, inclusive of stakeholder opinions, and grounded in the experience of its officials and employees. 

The issued ordinance (through which the government dissolved the NBR), they warned, could pose a threat to the country's economic structure and national interests.

The statement also mentioned that the five-hour pen-down strike will continue on Saturday as well.