A Consumer Complaints and Compensation Tribunal will soon be set up to address on consumer issues.
The Attorney-General and Minister for Industry and Trade, Mr Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during the celebrations of the World Consumer Day said that the tribunal will give consumers a simple and affordable avenue to pursue claims.
“Presently, many aggrieved consumers do not have the option to seek justice through the courts because of the nature of the legal system and costly legal fees. This tribunal will put an end to this inequity in the system by offering a mechanism that is accessible to all and that delivers justice in a timely manner,” AG said.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade permanent secretary Mr Shaheen Ali said the consumer tribunal is part of the Government’s plan to provide a flexible and easily accessible redress mechanism to consumers.
“We are working with the Solicitor General’s Office and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the tribunal is set up with all necessary infrastructure and powers to address consumer needs,” PS Ali said.
The Permanent Secretary said a collaborative approach is needed to hear out issues of both the consumers and businesses.
“Safeguarding consumer rights is the key objective of the Bainimarama Government thus relevant laws have been put in place to ensure that consumer interests are protected and promoted.”
An allocation of $500,000 was announced by the Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama in the 2014 budget to set up the tribunal this year.
The World Consumer Rights Day was celebrated with the theme ‘Fix our phone rights’ organised by the Consumer Council of Fiji at University of the South Pacific Business and Economics Faculty.
Issues discussed were on mobile phone operators charging consumers a high call rate, internet data usage rate, roaming charges, unfair game competitions and texting.
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