NBR employees stage ‘shutdown’ protest outside headquarters

All gates of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) headquarters in Dhaka's Agargaon, have been locked by law enforcement officials. NBR officers and employees, under the banner of the NBR Reform Unity Council, are continuing their 'Complete Shutdown' and 'March to NBR' programs, demanding the removal of Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan.

Since the morning of Saturday (June 28), leaders and staff of the NBR Reform Unity Council have been barred from entering the office. Council President, Additional Commissioner Hasan Muhammad Tarek Rikabdar, and General Secretary Sahela Siddiqua, along with leaders from various ranks, are holding a sit-in on the road outside the headquarters. Employees from Dhaka and other parts of the country have also gathered in support.

The protesters said, “There will be no meaningful discussion without the removal of Chairman Abu Rahman Khan. Our peaceful movement will continue.”

On May 12, the interim government issued an ordinance to split the NBR into two divisions. In protest, officials and staff from the customs, VAT, and income tax departments held sit-ins and a pen-down strike until May 26.

However, on the night of May 25, the Ministry of Finance issued a press release saying that the NBR would not be dissolved but rather upgraded to an “independent and specialized” department.

Following this assurance, the pen-down strike was called off on May 26. However, the Reform Unity Council announced non-cooperation with the Chairman and continued to demand his removal. As the demand was not met, they held a press conference on June 21 and resumed their sit-in and pen-down programs on June 23. On Thursday (June 26), though protesters attempted to continue their program, the gates of the NBR headquarters remained locked, preventing their entry.

To resolve the crisis, the Finance Adviser held a meeting on Thursday with the Finance Secretary, the Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division, the NBR Chairman, and 16 members. Although the meeting called for the withdrawal of the “Complete Shutdown” and “March to NBR” programs, the Reform Unity Council announced they would continue their movement.

The protesting officials say they are ready to sit with the Finance Adviser at any time to discuss their demands for NBR reform and the removal of the chairman, in the interest of the country and revenue. They have also called on the Chief Adviser to intervene and help resolve the situation in the greater interest of the state.