|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 20 May 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Consumer first The Moving Finger by Lionel Wijesiri Unlike developed countries, and for that matter even developing neighbouring countries like India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, Sri Lanka was a late comer in the field of consumer protection and consumer rights. It was only in 1975, at the height of scarcities and queues that the Government of the day saw the need for consumer protection, and established the National Prices Commission. Since the liberalization of the economy in 1977, successive Governments have pledged to take off the economy into sustained growth through open market reforms. However, most of the restructuring measures they were compelled to take to turn around the declining economy have instead of restraining monopoly have given a boost to it. The Sri Lankan consumer, on his side, has not been quite aware of his rights and even if were aware, has been lethargic in coming forward to assert his rights. Therefore, Sri Lanka has a long way to go in the opposite direction to ensure consumer rights and protection. Prime Minister. Ranil Wickremesinghe, firmly believes in the effective enforcement of competition and consumer protection policies. He found that the existing institutions in the form of Fair Trading Commission and the Department of Internal Trade (DIT) have not been found effective enough for this purpose. Therefore, the Government recently introduced the powerful Consumer Affairs Authority. However, how effective or efficacious this authority will be in ensuring consumer rights and protection would depend upon its implementation of the wide powers given. Consumer Rights How many of us really know about our basic rights as consumers? (1) Our right to basic goods and services which guarantee survival. (2) Our right to be protected against the marketing of goods or the provision of services that are hazardous to health and life. (3) Our right to be protected against dishonest or misleading advertising or labelling. (4)Our right to choose products and services at competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality. (5) Our right to express consumer interests in the making and execution of government policy. (6) Our right to be compensated for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services. (7) Our right to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be an informed consumer. The consumers of Sri Lanka lack proper education about their rights as consumers and they very often than not are deprived of receiving the correct information regarding products and services. In addition, there is a total absence of consumer representation in the process of decision-making. Ireland It is in this aspect that we could take a lesson from the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI) which was set up in 1966 to protect and educate consumers. It is the aim of CAI to represent consumers making sure that their needs as consumers of goods and services are given higher priority. CAI is an independent, non-profit and non-governmental organisation. The aims of the Association are to maintain and improve the standard of goods and services rendered to the public and to promote and advance public knowledge on all matters concerning users and consumers of materials, and goods and services of all kinds. The means by which the Association achieves its aims include: (1) using research and information from "Consumer Choice" magazine to form policies which support and safeguard consumer interests, (2) promoting and seeking implementation of those policies, representing the consumer interest on appropriate bodies, (3) being available for consultation by those who seek a consumer view on policies and proposals, (4) keeping in touch with consumers' experiences and concerns, working with other agencies to achieve beneficial change for consumers, (5) promoting the interests, experience and views of consumers through meetings. The Consumer Choice magazine plays a key role to help the consumer to get a fairer deal when buying goods and services, as well as inform him about his rights and about issues affecting him as a consumer. The experienced editorial team produce virtually all the material for the magazine. Some reports are based on surveys of members; views and experiences. For most product tests they collaborate with other independent consumer organisations : this includes Which? magazine among others. These tests are conducted in laboratories owned by the consumer organisations, or in outside independent laboratories, and are under the supervision of skilled engineers and scientists. Each group of products undergoes identical tests for performance, durability, reliability, convenience in use, and safety. Whether it's fridges for testing, or sandwiches for analysis we purchase all products in the same way that ordinary consumers buy them in the shops reports, interviews, exhibitions, letters and publications. Support Our present Consumer Affairs Authority should strive for the emergence of an organized consumer movement through building a broad base of informed and responsible consumers. It should support the consumers to come out of the prevailing inertia and play a more active role in deciding their consumption patterns to effect long-term socio-economic change and achieve sustainable development. We should always remember that an effective consumer protection legislation of a nation not only protects and promotes the rights and interests of its consumers, but it also enhances certain socio-economic targets of its macro economy, such as poverty alleviation, efficient, fair and transparent market mechanism, good governance and above all, socio-economic justice for its citizens. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
