The 2003/2004 budget aims to enhance consumer protection and maintain a market for improved trade initiatives, according to Minister of Trade and Industry Leslie Miller. During the budget debate, which is expected to wind up today, the member of Parliament for Blue Hills said consideration is being given to establish a standards bureau at an estimated cost of $2 million.
Mr. Miller said it is necessary if The Bahamas is to improve and maintain a competitive edge in the global economy.
The proposed bill will also seek to ensure products and services imported and exported from The Bahamas meet international standards and specifications.
“Standardisation polices and practices give assurances to local and foreign investors involved in trade, and the confidence to engage and conduct their activities in a market which assures that goods and services meet specific quality standards,” Mr. Miller said. “Furthermore, having standards in place will have the effect of policing the local market against the importation of unsafe and inferior made products.”
He said his ministry will work closely with counterparts in the Caribbean region to form liaisons with other standards organisations to develop a Bahamas bureau of standards.
Focusing on consumer protection, Mr. Miller told of complaints from “hundreds” of Bahamians seeking recourse from high rent, sub-standard products, unscrupulous merchants and car salesmen.
And, once the Consumer Protection bill becomes law, he said a number of issues raised by Bahamians will be addressed.
The act will reflect the current situation in the country; it will be structured within the guidelines of the UN Guidelines for Consumer Protection, which were developed to ensure member countries are provided with the framework for developing and strengthening consumer protection policies and legislation based on a set of identified objectives.
Moreover, the act will address consumers’ needs in areas such as:
* Protection from hazards to health and safety, e.g. expired drugs at pharmacies (this issue was addressed two weeks ago by the minister and the local pharmaceutical association);
* Consumer education;
* Promotion and protection of consumer economic interest;
* Access to adequate information to aid the better selection of products, goods and services;
* Avenues for effective consumer redress;
* Encouragement for the formation of consumer groups and other relevant non-profit organisations to represent consumer views in decision-making.
To this end, a consumer protection commission will be established with authority for the administration of the Consumer Protection Act, Mr. Miller said.
The commission’s core function will be to ensure consumers are protected against unfair and abusive business practices by merchants and service providers.
Pointing out that globalisation has resulted in markets becoming more vulnerable to the constraints of free trade, Mr. Miller said the challenge to governments is to maintain the balance between shaping economies to be able to facilitate free trade to sustain economic growth, and protect consumers’ social and economic welfare.
He also said the Price Control Act may be reviewed to include basic items such as dry cereal, disposable diapers and undergarments, fruit juices, fresh fruit and vegetables, bottled water, feminine personal items and building materials.
Expressing his concern that some merchants are not passing on savings to consumers, Mr. Miller said his ministry will move to rectify that.
By Lindsay Thompson, The Nassau Guardian
