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In many economies, the pursuit of profit can sometimes override the importance of protecting the very source of that profit- the consumer. It is very easy to obfuscate the benefit that industry and commerce derive from the end recipient of their product, be it finished goods or a service.
We have followed with interest the introduction of many local products, especially the ones to do with the control of the Covid-19 pandemic, since the introduction of lockdown rules earlier this year. While we cannot vouch for the quality and safety of all the products produced so far, we believe that competition is likely to lead to an improvement in the quality of the end product to the consumer. However, we are aware that not all sectors have competition and that not all entrepreneurs are scrupulous enough to be kept in check by market tastes.
It is against this background that we welcome the Consumer Protection Act that has replaced the Consumer Contracts Act.
We understand that under the new law, signed into law in December last year, unscrupulous business people that engage in unfair business practice will be liable for prosecution. Consumers are entitled to be fully refunded for defective or substandard goods and can individually approach the courts for redress or refer their complaints to the Consumer Protection Commission. We hear the commission will enforce the provisions of the law through the use of investigators and inspectors around the country.
It is our hope that now that the law is in place the other measures to give force to the spirit of the new act will also be speedily enacted so as to ensure that consumers are protected. It is great for industry and commerce to chase the vision of the Government of middle-income status by 2030, but that should not be done at the expense of the consumer.
We believe business should not be cajoled into co-operation and should not see consumer protection and safety as a cost or hindrance to quick profit but a universally accepted way of doing business responsibly. In as much as we wish our inspectors and investigators to have teeth, we would be heartened by a commitment on the part of business to embrace consumer rights so that there is no widespread need for litigation to enforce their moral obligation.
Also, consumer protection bodies need to get the rest of the consumers on board in terms of understanding their rights, and obligations as well, so that they can benefit from the new law. It takes an enlightened consumer to use a law to assert their rights hence the need for awareness of the provisions of the new law.
Everyone is a consumer one way or the other, hence the need for us to ensure that consumer rights are taken seriously since no one is immune to bad service or defective goods.
Online Reporter