KARACHI: The assessment/appraisement staff at MCC Appraisement West continued their strike on Saturday, wherein the staff came to the workplace and not doing any work due to which the clearance of import consignments has come to a near halt.
The assessment/appraisement staff at MCC Appraisement West observed a partial strike on Friday after a Deputy Collector was transferred and two appraising officers were put on duty-off on the complaint of an importer.
Meanwhile, collector Appraisement West Nasir Jamil has ordered turning off the WeBOC IDs of the all officials/officers observing strike.
An official said Customs officers and officials were working 12 hours a day and yet they were being harassed by influential importers through complaints, while senior officers transferred the staff without hearing them.
A tyre scrap importer had lodged a complaint with the Chief Collector Surayya Ahmed Butt that certain officer/officials were harassing him and the consignments were being subjected to delaying tactics through undue examinations. He claimed that appraising officers were demanding monetary benefits against smooth clearance of the consignments.
Ms Surayya Ahmed Butt advised Collector Appraisement West Nasir Jamil to investigate the compliant and identify whether the importers were actually being harassed; and whether the examination of importer’s consignment was being created to harass him as claimed.
However, Collector Nasir Jamil transferred Deputy Collector Ms. Sakina from Group-III and from MIS also. Appraising Officers Rabnawaz and Hafiz Shabbir were put duty off.
The interim body of Pakistan Customs Appraising Officers Association said they were not the part of strike and it was the decision of the officers of MCC Appraisement West staff only. The association mentioned that they were not contacted by anyone to join the strike.