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Published : 19 May 2025, 07:47 PM
The NBR Reform Unity Council has temporarily suspended its ongoing pen-down protest demanding the repeal of the ordinance that split the National Board of Revenue into two divisions.
The council paused the strike following a decision of a meeting among the protesting NBR officials, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed and representatives of the Advisory Council.
The meeting is scheduled at 3:30pm on Tuesday at the finance ministry, where up to 12 officials from the Income Tax and Customs departments will participate.
Customs Deputy Commissioner Imam Gazzali announced the suspension of the protest at a press briefing in the Rajashwa Bhaban, or Revenue Building, in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Monday.
Several officials from the Council read out a written statement at the press conference.
Gazzali said, “We have received a proposal for discussion from the (interim) government. We have learned that the finance advisor and several members of the Advisory Council will attend.
“We have always maintained that we are open to dialogue. A delegation from our side will join the discussion. In light of this, the NBR Reform Unity Council’s strike will remain suspended [on Tuesday].”
He added that “further programmes will be announced based on the discussion’s progress”.
The finance advisor greenlighted a meeting with the protesters on Sunday afternoon.
However, as no formal invitation had been received by then, the council decided to continue its pen-down programme on Monday.
The demonstration began with work abstention in the first phase–on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, followed by a continuation on Sunday.
All tax zones, value-added tax (VAT) commissionerates and customs stations across the country observed the pen-down programme.
However, international passenger services, export activities, and national budget formulation processes were exempted from the protest.
On Apr 17, the Advisory Council approved a draft ordinance to split the NBR into two new bodies: Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Administration Division.
Despite plans for a swift rollout, the draft ordinance faced backlash once it was published online.
Officers from the Income Tax and Customs cadres voiced strong objections, with their associations calling for the ordinance to be revoked.
Nevertheless, the caretaker government issued the ordinance last May 12.
Since then, NBR officials and employees have been holding the pen-down programme demanding its repeal.
