During the 2011 election campaign, the National Democratic Party (NDP) promised the people of the Virgin Islands consumer protection. Then again in 2012 in the Speech from the Throne, Dr. the Hon D. Orlando Smith’s Administration promised it would focus on a Consumer Protection Act. According to the 2012 Trade & Consumer Affairs Department annual report, they now promised public meetings on the subject in the 3rd quarter of 2013. To date, no such meetings have been announced. Photo: VINO

According to the 2012 Trade & Consumer Affairs Department annual report, on August 14, 2012 the Director of Trade, Ms. Lizette O. George (left) and the Business Liaison Mr. Kevin C. Smith met with the Attorney General to follow up on legislation on Consumer Protection and Fair Competition. The Premier's Office requested public meetings on the topic, which was expected to start in the 3rd quarter of 2013. To date, no such meetings have commenced. Photo: Facebook, VINO

The Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs oversees all matters of trade in the Territory. Photo: VINO/File

The latest promise was in the National Democratic Party (NDP) manifesto during the 2011 election campaign.

Just last year in the 2012 speech from the Throne, delivered by the United Kingdom appointed Governor for the Government of the day, the Premier indicated that his Government “would focus on a Consumer Protection Act to provide for the promotion and protection of consumers interest, in relations to the supply of goods and the provision of services to ensure protection of life, health and safety of consumers...”

However, to date the public has not heard anything from the Dr. Smith Administration on where things are with this Act. 

In the 2012 Trade & Consumer Affairs Department annual report tabled in the House of Assembly on July 25, 2013 by Premier and Minister for Trade and Consumer Affairs, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, public meetings were promised for the third quarter of 2013.

Public Meetings first

According to the 2012 report, on August 14, 2012 the Director of Trade, Ms. Lizette O. George and the Business Liaison Mr. Kevin C. Smith met with the Attorney General to follow up on legislation on Consumer Protection and Fair Competition.

The report stated that the Trade & Consumer Affairs Department agreed with the Premier’s Office on the importance of public meetings on the subject so that the legislation is properly informed and so that the Department may provide guidance to the public on matters related to consumer affairs. Those public meetings are intended for the 3^rd quarter of 2013.  

Thus far there is no public announcement of such meetings as we are now in the 3^rd quarter of 2013.

Two consumer complaints in 2012, one in the legal sector

According to the report, during the year 2012 the Department received two consumer complaints related to the unfair trading in the waste/garbage disposal sector and the non-delivery of contracted services in the legal sector.

The report stated that in both cases, the Department of Trade & Consumer Affairs conducted investigations firstly to validate the nature of the complaints, secondly, determine the appropriate redress and finally to respond in writing on findings and with suggestions.

Unfortunately, as there is currently no active legislation in the Virgin Islands on Consumer protection or fair competition, the department lacks any real teeth in order to ensure real justice for consumers, the report states.