TIA Customs Office Employees to Begin Customs Check Protest

Beginning on Monday, employees of the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) customs office will no longer undergo customs checks, as they initiate a protest program with various demands.

Their previous announcement of a protest program stemmed from the absence of a response to their request for mass transfers. According to their plan, on Bhadra 25th and 26th, staff members intend to halt all operations related to export and import through the cargo check and pass branch of the office. They have cautioned that operations carried out by the passenger check pass branch of the office may also be affected starting Bhadra 26 if their demands remain unaddressed.

They pointed out Section 66 of the Customs Act, 2064, which states, "No customs officer shall be personally liable for any act done in good faith in the performance of his duties." Despite this clear provision, they argue that it is not being followed.

Among their demands is the complete cessation of continuous interference by various agencies, which they claim disrupts daily administrative work carried out with good intentions in accordance with the law, undermines employee morale and self-esteem, and deteriorates the working environment.

The employees have articulated the following demands:

Immediate cessation of actions contrary to the Customs Act and other prevailing laws, which are carried out with the intention of revenue collection in the office. These actions include unjust arrests and detentions of innocent employees under the guise of investigations.

The establishment of a conducive atmosphere for regular attendance at the workplace and the fostering of high morale among the employees.

A halt to the inhumane arrests and detentions of employees by investigating agencies, without prior notification to the employee's workplace. They call for an end to such activities and the release of all detainees lacking evidence.

An immediate stop to the practice of publicizing employees' personal details without delay, as it violates their right to privacy guaranteed by the constitution, especially when there is no proven guilt and only for the purpose of altering the focus of an investigation.

An end to the protection of individuals exposed through various media, particularly those involved in criminal activities, and an immediate halt to the targeting of only national service employees.