IT IS ALL well and good to headline an editorial consumer body sorely needed, but there is more to it than that.
It is also appropriate to make the statement, if only to sensitise “better-off” consumers that sooner rather than later they will have to join ranks with their “worse-off” counterparts if they want to escape the punishment and ravages of an increasingly high cost of living.
Injustices prevail
Your editorial writer on Wednesday August 10, 2016 cited examples of injustice meted out to consumers by a range of service providers whose services are operated and regulated under statute law, yet injustices continue to take place.
From time to time, persons are heard saying “we have to protect people from themselves”.
Truth be told, consumers need to be protected against injustices meted out to them.
For example, within the laws of Barbados relating to matters such damages from power and electricity outages, the loss and/or unavailability of telephone, television and water services, consumers are treated with overdoses of frustration and hassle in an attempt to get their issues resolved.
The presence of a consumer body will only make sense and be effective when it is supported by legislators who have the intestinal fortitude to imprint legislation on the statute books thereby empowering consumers to fight and win against the injustices meted out to them.
Examples of how consumer organisations function in the United Kingdom are instructive.
Super-complainants
The Enterprise Act 2002 allows consumer bodies to be designated as “super-complainants” to the Competition and Markets Authority, an organisation that can be considered equivalent to our Fair Trading Commission, with no direct political oversight or involvement.
The Citizens Advice Bureau, a free service providing legal advise, practical help and information on consumer rights is made up of a number of independent Charities assisting individuals with money,legal matters and consumer issues.
A major characteristic of the CAB is that it receives support from the British government’s coffers while at the same time maintaining a high-profile stand as a critic of the very government from which it receives funding.
The CAB also operates under the four major principles of free service, confidentiality, impartiality and Independence.
While it can be said that a consumer body is sorely needed in Barbados, a great deal more has to be done in order for consumers to receive justice and benefits.
– Michael Ray