Gazette issued declaring NBR jobs as 'essential services'
The government today (30 June) issued a gazette declaring all categories of jobs under the National Board of Revenue (NBR) as "essential services", following an announcement yesterday amid NBR officials' "complete shutdown".
"The government stated that all categories of jobs under the National Board of Revenue in all customs houses, inland container depots, container depots, and bonded warehouses are essential for carrying out important state functions and managing the government's financial system.
"Therefore, in the public interest and by the authority vested under Section 3, Sub-section (1) of the Essential Services (Second) Ordinance, 1958, the government hereby declares all categories of jobs in the customs houses, ICDs, container depots, and bonded warehouses under the National Board of Revenue as essential services," reads the gazette signed by AHM Shafiquzzaman, secretary of the labour ministry.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
In a statement yesterday, the interim government said the decision was taken in the interest of ensuring uninterrupted import-export and foreign trade operations.
"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.
Hours after the government statement, NBR officials withdrew their protest.
The government's tough stance followed as revenue and customs officials continued their strike, kept offices shut and suspended customs clearance at ports, bringing export-import trades to a total halt for the second day yesterday.
