Consumer Council of Fiji Consumer rights and responsibilities. Safe, fair and just marketplace...
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Consumer Council of Fiji Consumer rights and responsibilities. Safe, fair and just marketplace Addressing Inequality and Promoting Inclusive and Sustainable
Consumer Council of Fiji Consumer rights and responsibilities.
Safe, fair and just marketplace Addressing Inequality and Promoting
Inclusive and Sustainable Development, 2013 ODN Biennial
Conference, 11th - 12th September 2013 Ms Premila Kumar Chief
Executive Officer
Slide 2
Councils Role in Supporting the Poor in Fiji Consumer Council
is there for all consumers but generally poor consumers come to the
Council for assistance. STRATEGIC PLAN Council protects vulnerable
groups such as rural poor, physically and mentally challenged,
children and women by identifying and articulating the policy
issues that are of importance to them. Councils watchdog role
ensures that unscrupulous traders do not exploit the poor and
vulnerable consumers.
Slide 3
UN Guideline on Consumer Protection Eight Consumer Rights forms
the basis for the Councils work in consumer protection Right to
basic needs- ie access to basic goods or services necessary for
survival, such as food, water, energy, clothing, health care,
education and sanitation
Slide 4
International Bill of Human Rights: (Article 11 (1) The UN
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
which is part of the International Bill of Human Rights, (Article
11 (1) : to the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living
for himself and his family, including adequate food, clothing, and
housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions ).
These are achievable through effective consumer protection
legislation.
Slide 5
Consumer policy Consumer Policy can contribute to: poverty
eradication, efficient markets, good governance, and promote human
rights.
Slide 6
Role of Consumer Council Council provides the platform for poor
and disadvantage consumers to raise their concerns and seek
justice. Council lessen isolation and helplessness faced by poor by
providing access to information and representation. The Council
focuses on empowerment, consumer legislation, representation and
redress to assist the poor to improve their quality of lives and
hold policy makers accountable for their actions
Slide 7
Representation To effectively represent poor, we need to know
the issues affecting them. Complaints handling Market surveillance
Research Information helps in advocacy particularly to develop new
policies or when old policies are reviewed.
Slide 8
Policy and Regulatory reform Council regularly makes
submissions on behalf of poor consumers targeting areas where cost
of living is high. Some examples of successful lobbying: price
control for gas, reduction of e- ticketing card price and minimum
top- up amount. Councils submissions to Govts National Budget
focuses on essential food items where price increases affects the
poor consumers.
Slide 9
Submission Water and sewerage reform submission to the Charter
Committee Proposed increase in bus fares- Min of Transport Removal
of Price control Is the Timing Appropriate? - Prime Minister &
Minister for Finance & Economic Planning School fees &
levies imposed by schools Gas Pricing
Slide 10
Market Surveillance Market surveillance keeps checks on
supermarkets and other retailers that poor people frequent.
Supermarkets sold discounted substandard food items aimed at the
poorer segment of consumers, e.g. cut fruits, expired food items
Traders taken to task for unethical practices against Govt food
voucher recipients
Slide 11
Market Surveillance Protects the poor against unsafe/dangerous
food items and products e.g. used cooking oil sold cheaply to poor
consumers Market surveillance of small dairy/neighbourhood shops
that often engage in unfair trade practices e.g. uncertified
scales, improper measuring tools for kerosene
Slide 12
Research, evidence-based advocacy Council uses research and
evidence- based advocacy to improve the quality of life of poor
consumers. Example: Hire Purchase Report, Money lending research,
Regular price and product surveys e.g. monthly supermarket survey
Price change of basic food and non-food items, 2006 to 2011
Slide 13
Redress to Poor Poor consumers cannot afford to seek redress on
their own accord thus rely on the Council to provide assistance
Councils conciliation role allows poor and disadvantaged consumers,
to receive some form of remedy or relief. Small Claims
Tribunal
Slide 14
Debt Management and Consumer Advisory Services AusAID Project:
Consumer Financial Protection and Building Credit Competency for
Vulnerable Groups Provides financial advice and debt management to
poor consumers who are facing problems with repayments or powerless
to deal with powerful banks, hire purchase companies and credit
institutions Service is free and targets poor consumers who cant
afford to pay for financial advice or lawyers Help to restructure
loans.
Slide 15
Consumer Empowerment Consumer empowerment through education,
awareness, information dissemination is crucial when consumer
protection laws are weak or absent Councils core activity >
targeting local communities, the poor and vulnerable Outreach
programme ensures that poor consumers are armed with knowledge and
information to deal with unscrupulous traders and protect
themselves from unfair trade practices Campaigns
Slide 16
Conclusion Council plays an important role in enhancing
accountability. We monitor implementation of policies and provide
feedback on whether policies are working or not.