Consumer Affairs Department Celebrates A Decade of Service
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Contact: Chris Satney
Tuesday, 18 March 2008 – Director of the Consumer Affairs Department Philip Mc Clauren has been reflecting on the achievements of the Consumer Affairs Unit, now celebrating its tenth anniversary.
The department evolved from the Price Control Division in 1997, when the division, at that time, was deemed inadequate to address consumer issues, particularly with the onslaught of globalisation and trade liberalisation.
Mr. Mc Clauren describes the decade as one of both opportunities and challenges. However, he says, the challenges provided inspiration to achieve the set goals.
“Government had to create a department that would be well placed to provide protection and educate consumers in an ever changing global marketplace. Further, this was to ensure that certain mechanisms were in place, in anticipation of greater market access, and in the process, safeguard the interest and welfare of consumers from shoddy goods and shabby services,” he said.
In June of 2000 the Ministry initiated public discussion on a model Consumer Protection Bill, which was developed by the Caribbean Law Institute. Mr. Mc Clauren laments the absence of such legislation on the island, despite the enormous amount of work done on the piece of legislation.
“This Consumer Protection Bill's journey has been saddled with many trials and has in fact tested the resolve of the department. The department even at this present moment has resolved the majority of its complaints in the absence of consumer legislation through moral suasion.”
The Consumer Affairs Department Head says he is confident the end of the next decade will not find the department in this same situation.
The department last Saturday observed World Consumer Right Day under the theme “Junk Food Generation”. The theme was geared at encouraging the general public, in particular parents, to buy and use foods that are healthy, instead of those that are bad for one's health. |
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