| Consumers in Guyana should be benefiting from sweeping changes to the service and product guarantees they receive when purchasing goods and services once President Bharrat Jagdeo gives his assent to a Consumer Affairs Bill.The Bill is intended “…to promote and protect consumer interests in relation to the supply of goods and services and for related purposes”. It was passed by the National Assembly ThursdayThe Bill was discussed in Parliament last month and received unanimous support of the House, but before going on to final approval Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Manniram Prashad – who piloted this proposed legislation, asked that it be placed before a select committee of Members of Parliament to review its content then put up for passage. Minister Prashad reported Thursday that the committee adopted the Bill without changes.This Bill is based on an earlier version of a Consumer Protection Act of 2006 that was never brought into force, and is said to go beyond the scope of that 2006 Act.PNCR Member of Parliament,Dwight Howard Hawks Jersey, Mervyn Williams, however contended that the reason there were no changes at the committee stage is because the majority of government members were unwilling to accept any.He said that among the rejected proposed changes were for provision in the legislation of regulations covering quality of service to passengers in public transportation,Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping, and the way hire purchase conditions are set out in contracts.Both of these recommendations were not accepted as Government members said they will be dealt with in separate legislation that is to come.Mr Williams said that what was of particular concern to the Opposition in hire purchase agreements as they are now,Cheap Jerseys From China, is the high rate of interest that ranges from 23 per cent to 31 per cent.Additionally, he said that current contracts empower stores to repossess goods for which as much as 75 per cent of the cost has been paid by the consumer.When the Bill was debated in May Minister Manniram Prashad gave examples of changes that will be introduced when the Bill becomes law. He cited instances of retailers offering for goods carrying labels in a foreign language, “Those found on shelves with no English will be deemed illegal.”Suppliers of goods sold by weight or volume will be obligated to provide for the consumer facilities to confirm that measurement.The Bill forbids merchants from displaying the price of goods claiming the cost to be VAT inclusive. It states that the prices and fees must be current and all related taxes shall be shown separately from the cost of the goods or services.Similarly, the receipt given for goods or services must show separately the price of those products and individual applicable taxes. Additionally the date of purchase must be displayed.Mr Prashad noted a practice by some merchants of placing all goods on one receipt and applying taxes to the total cost though some items on the list may be zero rated.According to the Bill, suppliers of goods and services must assume the warranty placed by the manufacturer, and in the absence of that provision the item sold will automatically have a six-month warranty.Consumers will not have to pay for goods or services supplied that are more than they had requested. As an example the Minister referred to instances where a car owner might request a mechanic to repair or fix one item on the vehicle,Wholesale Jerseys USA, but the tradesman chooses to repair or replace other parts that are deemed faulty without the owner’s permission.The mechanic then charges the customer for the additional service, but under this new Bill there is no obligation to pay for the extra cost that was not requested.“A person who commits an offence under this Act is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than $20,000 nor more than $1 million and to imprisonment for one year,” the Bill reads in part.The Competition Commission established under the Competition and Fair Trading Act will be renamed the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission,Adidas Craig Smith Jersey, and will administer the new legislation and enforce its provisions.Merchants and other suppliers of goods and services who are dissatisfied by a decision of the Commission can appeal within 15 days to a judge in court who may confirm,http://www.theworldsoccersshop.com/Belgium-Christian-Kabasele-Jersey.html, modify, or reverse the decision. Additionally the Commission can be directed to reconsider its findings.Minister Prashad said that this coming legislation will be preceded by a massive awareness campaign, and certain known offenders will be personally contacted. “We know most of them and we are calling them in with passage of the Bill.” |
