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Consumer Protection Bill among 11 Bills for Introduction & First Reading today, Nov 14

- HoA Sitting scheduled for 10:00am at its chambers in Road Town
The Consumer Protection Bill will be among eleven (11) Bills for Introduction and First reading when the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly is held today, Thursday, November 14, 2019. Photo: Internet Source
During the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday July 25, 2019, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had said the failure by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration to implement consumer protection legislation left citizens at the mercy of certain unscrupulous business persons, even during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives- in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Photo: VINO/File
During the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday July 25, 2019, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) had said the failure by the National Democratic Party (NDP) Administration to implement consumer protection legislation left citizens at the mercy of certain unscrupulous business persons, even during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives- in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria. Photo: VINO/File
One of the highlights of the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly today, Thursday, November 14, 2019 will be the Speech from the Throne to be delivered by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert. Photo: VINO/File
One of the highlights of the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly today, Thursday, November 14, 2019 will be the Speech from the Throne to be delivered by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The return of the Consumer Protection Bill will be among eleven (11) Bills for Introduction and First reading when the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Fourth House of Assembly convenes today, Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Consumer protection legislation was a major campaign promise of the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) in the lead up to the February 25, 2019 general elections and by May 7, 2019 the bill was tabled for first time in the HoA by the new government led by Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1).

Following debates on the bill in July 2019, the Bill was sent to a Select Committee of the House of Assembly to finalise more policies.

According to the Order Paper for today’s proceedings, the Premier and Minister of Finance is to move a motion for the Introduction and First Reading of the Bill entitled, “Consumer Protection Act, 2019”.

NDP Gov’t left citizens at mercy of unscrupulous business persons- Premier Fahie

During the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth House of Assembly (HoA) on Thursday July 25, 2019, Premier Fahie had said the failure by the last administration to implement consumer protection legislation left citizens at the mercy of certain unscrupulous business persons, even during one of the most vulnerable times of their lives- in the aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria.

He said after the hurricanes of 2017 there were reports of certain businesses hoarding goods and engaging in price gouging. “The prices to items that were essential to surviving such as food stuff, water, cleaning supplies,  candles and matches, were hyped up on a desperate population, and those were just to name a few.”

According to the Premier, it was no secret that many citizens felt the reason consumer protection never made it off the ground was because of conflict of interest, “a case of the fox standing guard at the henhouse.”

More Bills

Other Bills that Hon Fahie will be moving a motion for the Introduction and First Reading are the “Supplementary Appropriation (2014) Act, 2019”; “Supplementary Appropriation (2015) Act, 2019”; “Disaster Management Act, 2019”; “Virgin Islands Trade Commission Act, 2019”; “Liquor Licences Act, 2019”; “Police Act, 2019”; and “Securities and Investment Business (Amendment) Act, 2019”.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration, Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) will move a motion for the Introduction and First Reading of the Bill entitled, “Trade In Endangered Species (Cites) Act, 2019” while The Minister for Health and Social Development will move a motion for the Introduction and First Reading of the Bill entitled, “Virgin Islands Red Cross Act, 2019”.

Attorney General Baba F. Aziz will move a motion for the Introduction and First Reading of the Bill entitled, “Charging Orders Act, 2019”.

Another highlight from today’s sitting scheduled for 10:00am is the Speech from the Throne to be delivered by Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert.

9 Responses to “Consumer Protection Bill among 11 Bills for Introduction & First Reading today, Nov 14”

  • watching (14/11/2019, 10:50) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
    This government working hard for the people
    • For their (14/11/2019, 10:55) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      People all these governments the same only who supported get supported
    • Crazy stupidness and foolishness (14/11/2019, 11:01) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      What we need is competition rather than protectionism for locally run rip off businesses. Why not invite Pricesmart, CostCo, Homedepot and especially Pueblo to open up in the BVI. Also let in ATT. We would then get good service and good prices - it would mean that some locally owned inefficient rip off business would either have to adapt or go out of business - but that is a cost worth paying.
      • agreed (14/11/2019, 12:30) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
        Agreed. Give people their options especially when it comes to spending our hard earned money. This will definitely spark a fire under companies that get away with highway robbery here in the BVI.
      • VIslander (14/11/2019, 21:08) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Let me answer this for you b/c it is often asked.
        If you let in franchise business to compete with locals then why would they hire locals & why would they invest their $$$ here or provide good service & who would own the businesses here?
        So we put one local to compete with an Intl Business Group from India China UK Asia etc...how can the local compete? Where does the $$ go? You think they will come here and hire expats or bring the ppl from their own countries to work? Then how will the locals pay their inflated mortgage? Who will hire you? Who will make sure that our cultural requirements for our economy are met?

        Yes a big conglomerate can bring lower prices for some gloabl products but there's more to it so it's better to encourage more locals to become conglomerates and more locally owned businesses to provide the service level competition and price control.
      • Just Cause You Say So (14/11/2019, 23:12) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        Even with economies of scales the BVI's 30,000 people is not a market that many large companies are willing invest in. logistics/transport and duties are the largest reasons why goods cost so much in the BVI. Non of which a local reseller can do any about.
        If you take the time to compare the difference in price between PR, St Thomas and the BVI the difference is roughly the cost of duty and shipping. But if a Govt reduces customs duties with out laws to ensure the cost savings are passed to the customer and not pocketed the people see nothing.
    • Just Cause You Say So (14/11/2019, 23:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Its so awesome that a Government can write a bill intended to protect the consumer in 8 months. the ability to research, draft, edit and vet a bill in 8 months to have ready to present to house for a first reading is unprecedented.
      I can only hope that this speed caries over in all aspects of government business.
  • Sue (14/11/2019, 12:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Rtw ain owned by cost u less managers?
  • rattie (14/11/2019, 21:41) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    thanks for bringing back the bill


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