C&F Agents Association announces 2-day strike

The Federation of Bangladesh Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association has announced a two-day strike – Monday and Tuesday – demanding an amendment to the Customs Agent Licensing Rules 2020.

The association has strongly opposed and demanded the repeal of a clause of the Act that states C&F agent licence holders cannot transfer a licence to a successor.

C&F Agents Association Secretary General Sultan Hossain Khan declared the strike at a press conference in the Dhaka Reporters Unity's conference hall on Sunday to press home a nine-point demand.

As a result of the strike, no imported product will be cleared for the two days.

"We will ensure that the strike is observed in all customs houses and stations across the country. However, the association will not be responsible for any adverse situation in the country's economy due to the strike," he said.

As per the existing law, a candidate must be a graduate and has to pass an exam to get a C&F agent licence. So there is no scope to transfer a licence to another person, which the organisation leaders consider as a violation of their fundamental rights as the National Board of Revenue (NBR) does not consider C&F agent licences as a recognised trading business.

"NBR officials compare our licence with driving licence, not traders, even though we have invested in this sector and created employment. Under the current law, if I die, my company dies too," said AKM Akther Hossain, president of Chattogram Customs Agents Association.

Apart from this, the association has demanded the cancellation of other sections of the law – the licence of the respective C&F agent will not be renewed if any importers have duty arrears, cancellation of the agent's licence if the customs tax is owed, no licence to any domestic-foreign joint-owned company, and to make the agent responsible in case of importing goods under false declaration.

Sultan Hossain Khan said, "We do not import or export products in any way. We only work as an intermediary between the government and businessmen on a commission basis. So, we cannot be held responsible for any of their irregularities."

Earlier on 7 June 2022, the association observed a half-day strike over the same demand and then called off the strike after the NBR assured them of amending the law. But there has been no further progress since then.

"In the past, we suspended our movement after assurances but this time we will continue our protest until the demands are met," Sultan Hossain added.