FBR Employees Protest Over Performance Management Scheme

ISLAMABAD: Lower-grade employees (BS-1 to 16) of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have initiated protests against the board due to the non-extension of the novel performance management system to auditors, inspectors, superintendents, and other staff members within the BS-1-16 pay scales.

The protesting employees are advocating for a stake in the collective pool fund, performance-linked incentives, and the reinstatement of a previously suspended special allowance.

A peculiar situation unfolded at the FBR headquarters on Monday when, instead of attempting to appease the protesting employees, authorities from the Administration Wing allegedly resorted to intimidation tactics. Reports indicate the protesting employees were warned with threats.

Around 85% of the FBR’s workforce across the nation falls within Grade 1 to 16.

Of the FBR’s total authorized workforce of 28,000, approximately 16,550 are employed within the FBR and its associated field offices. Of these, 950 are in BS-17 and higher positions, while the remaining officers are in the BS-1 to 16 category. Amidst the widespread protests by these lower-grade FBR employees, the FBR administration, seemingly unresponsive to the concerns of the protesting staff, released an SRO704(I)/2024 on Monday. The notification stated, “Financial rewards will be approved for the Cadre Officers of the Pakistan Customs Service (BS-17 and above) based on their rankings under the performance management ERR transformation plan sanctioned by the Board.”

Reports indicate that a temporary cessation of work occurred at the FBR headquarters and its field offices on Monday. Minor demonstrations, rallies, and speeches took place nationwide as part of the protest. The demonstrations occurred in numerous cities and regional offices throughout the country.

The FBR recently implemented the aforementioned performance management scheme for BS-17 and higher officials within the Customs Services and Inland Revenue Services.

The primary focus of the FBR employees’ protest centers on the demand for equitable distribution of incentives based on pay scale for all positions, encompassing inspectors, auditors, superintendents, supervisors, clerical personnel, sepoys, naib qasids, and sweepers. They are also seeking an equal portion from the FBR Common Pool Fund and the reactivation of the special pay package allowance for lower-grade FBR employees.

The three central points of contention in the protest are:

  • Unfair distribution of the common pool fund, allegedly favoring CSP officers exclusively, despite CPF rules stipulating it is for the welfare of all employees.
  • Reinstatement of the performance allowance, which has been suspended since 2013.
  • Revision of the new reward regulations, which currently limit eligibility for performance rewards issued recently by the Prime Minister to cadre employees alone.