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Dhaka, May 21, 2025 – The NBR Reform Unity Council, representing officials and employees from the Customs, VAT, and Income Tax wings of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), has announced an indefinite work abstention program to press for four key demands. The announcement was made during a press conference held at the NBR headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
The council’s demands include the immediate repeal of the recently enacted ordinance splitting the NBR into two divisions—Revenue Policy Division and Revenue Management Division—the removal of the NBR chairman, public disclosure of the NBR Reform Advisory Committee’s recommendations, and comprehensive revenue system reforms through consultations with stakeholders, including NBR officials, business associations, civil society, and political leaders.
As part of the protest program, the council plans to submit a memorandum to the Chief Adviser on Thursday, May 22, 2025. On the same day, sit-in protests will be held at relevant offices in Dhaka and beyond. Additionally, a full-scale work stoppage is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday across all tax, customs, and VAT offices nationwide. However, operations at customs houses, LC stations, export activities, and international passenger services will remain unaffected by the strike.
The interim government’s ordinance, issued on May 12, 2025, dissolved the NBR and restructured it into two separate entities, prompting widespread opposition from NBR officials. Critics argue that the ordinance sidelines experienced tax and customs professionals by allowing administrative cadre officers to occupy key positions, undermining the autonomy and expertise of the revenue administration. The council has also expressed frustration over the lack of transparency, noting that the NBR Reform Advisory Committee’s report has not been made public, unlike other reform commission reports.
“We are not against reforms, but they must be inclusive, realistic, and respect the expertise of NBR officials,” said a spokesperson for the council during the press conference. The council emphasized its openness to dialogue with the government to resolve the deadlock peacefully and apologized for any inconvenience caused to taxpayers, assuring that the protest aims to secure long-term benefits for the nation.
The ongoing agitation follows a four-day pen-down strike by NBR officials, which has already disrupted operations at tax, VAT, and customs offices, including a standstill at the Chattogram Custom House. The council has warned that failure to address their demands could lead to further escalation of the movement, potentially impacting revenue collection and economic stability.
AI/MR
