Amid a critical period, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) tax officers are seeking a two-month leave to protest low wages and discrimination, prompting the FBR to state on Thursday that the protest remains peaceful and confined to “social media.”
The protest, which started at the FBR’s Sargodha Regional Tax Office (RTO) a day prior, has spread to FBR’s headquarters and tax offices nationwide, with Lahore, the second-largest revenue-generating city, being the most impacted.
Tax officers, primarily in pay scales 17 and 18, are submitting leave applications from May 8 to June 30.
The officers have voiced their grievances against discrimination compared to other civil service groups, exacerbated by record-high inflation and a lack of empathy from FBR’s top management.
A few months ago, FBR management attempted to ease tensions by proposing a common fund supported by a Re1 per invoice contribution from taxpayers rather than presenting the case to the prime minister and the federal cabinet.
Tax officers claim that if the FBR management and government ignore their concerns, 150 to 200 officers may take leave beginning May 8.
The collective leave applications or reluctance to perform duties may exacerbate FBR’s revenue shortfall of Rs380 billion in the current fiscal year’s first 10 months.
FBR spokesman Afaque Qureshi described the protest as “symbolic” and “peaceful,” confined to social media, as officers press for salary increases. He expressed optimism that the responsible and committed officers would respond to their call of duty.
Qureshi also stated that neither the Revenue Division secretary nor the FBR chairman and members receive executive allowances.
While FBR employees were denied a special allowance equal to 150% of the basic salary for Grade 17 and above government officers, other departments continue to benefit from special allowances.
The leave applications cite low salaries and soaring inflation as reasons for the protest. A Grade-18 officer states that their low salary barely meets their family’s basic needs, causing financial stress and mental health issues.
Despite the FBR chairman addressing salary structure discrimination with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the PMO’s offer to grant a 150% executive allowance to FBR headquarters employees, excluding field formations, was not accepted by FBR management.
