ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Monday directed all the tax offices to cut the staff (BS-1 to BS-15) by 50 percent with immediate effect in the wake of resurgence of coronavirus.
In a circular issued by the FBR, stated that due to resurgence of COVID-19 and keeping in view the NCOC decision, the directions/instructions to reduce the staff strength (BS-1 to BS-15) by 50 percent is required to be implemented with immediate effect.
“It is once again advised to reduce the staff strength within the available human resource limit (BS-1 to BS-15) by 50 percent on fortnightly rotation basis with effect from November 24, 2020, and to strictly follow all other instructions issued vide FBR Circular dated November 11, 2020.”
The competent authority has desired that instructions/orders in this regard must be issued by respective Members/Chiefs FBR (HQ) immediately and copy of the same must be shared by 12:00pm on Tuesday November 24, 2020.
Earlier, the FBR issued detailed SOPs for all the field offices for strictly compliance, which included:
i. FBR (HQ) and all its field formations are advised to reduce the staff strength (BS-1 to BS-15) by 50 percent on fortnightly rotation basis with effect as per the following plan:
a. Anyone suffering from flue and fever may remain off but to be available in respective stations and on cell phone.
b. All Members / Chiefs FBR (HQ) and heads of all field formations are advised to decide about rotation of their offices, prepare the list (duty/off) of officials (BS-1 to BS-15).
ii. Any employee who has symptoms of COVID-19 i.e. fever, cough, shortness of breath should get himself/herself tested immediately and report to the Admin Wing of FBR (HQ) of Headquarters of their respective field formations to be allowed to stay isolated till he/she is tested negative.
iii. The employees are also directed to wear face masks during office hours, avoid hand-shakes, hugs and maintain social distance as per standard SOPs.
iv. Employees above 50 years of age may be allowed to work from their homes except those employees whose presence is unavoidable for smooth functioning of the official business. Heads of all field formations area advised to take decision in this regard, accordingly. Field offices are further advised to allow female staff (mother of children) to work from their homes.
v. it is advised that all those employees who are suffering from flu, fever or carrying medical history of frequent chest infections, asthma, cardiac related problems or any other major disease shall be allowed to work from their homes. Moreover, reception staff will monitor everyone who enters office premises with the help of infrared thermal thermometers.
