Legislation for protection of consumers in pipeline

Vincentians very soon could see the passing of consumer protection legislation.

This is according to Minister of Trade Louis Straker, as he addressed a media conference at the Foreign Affairs conference room recently.

The minister noted that in order to perfect the harmonized consumer protection legislation for the Organization of East Caribbean States (OECS) there was a lot of delay.{{more}}

“We trust that we can move forward speedily in having the legislation on our books so that consumers can be protected; those who supply services and products would know exactly what their obligations are and we would have a legislation that is fair to everyone, but certainly would meet the needs of everyone,” the minister said.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade Nathaniel Williams stated that although there is no set legislation regarding consumer protection, the Government has taken steps recently to ensure consumer rights and also the rights of suppliers with the market for certain products.

Williams explained that the price control list had dropped from 100 to under 40; the Government has removed price controls on tires and has approved a new price build-up for liquefied petroleum gas.

Also speaking at the press briefing, legal clerk in the OECS House of Assembly Danine Jones stated that the proposed bill has gone through many iterations and they believe that the 2015 version can be implemented across member states.

“It speaks initially to setting up an institution; that institution will be the Consumer Protection Commission, which would be manned by a commissioner and a director.”

She added that the commission would be responsible for investigations upon receiving complaints, as well as conducting their own investigations.

Jones explained that after the investigation period and certain determinations are made, the commission would decide if there is a need to send a matter to a tribunal.

Jones noted that the bill is quite balanced, as it relates to both the rights of the consumer and the supplier.

“Businesses don’t have to be fearful of the implementation of the Bill.

“It also puts in place and establishes that consumers also have certain responsibilities as well. So, it is balanced in terms of protection of the consumer, but the consumer must be responsible in the way it deals with services and products that have been bought,” she added.

Jones stated that the bill also seek to protect consumers from referral selling, pyramid schemes and also the purchasing of defective products.

“You would see a number of things in relation to distance selling…it also looks at unfair terms within contract,” she added.

The Ministry will hold consultations with the public and ministerial bodies to discuss the proposed bill. The conference was also addressed by Safiya Horne-Bique, programme officer in the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit.(CM)