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Consumer Protection Bill likely – Premier Smith

- noted that it was a consideration since the last administration
It has been observed by our readers that there are a lot of issues that speak to the need for greater consumer protection, among them are price setting as it relates to rental of apartments, consumer purchase, food expiration, return and exchange policies and many other issues. Photo: www.businessinsider.com
A Consumer Protection Bill is likely to be considered and eventually brought before the House of Assembly by the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration with a view to protecting the purchasing public as they spend their hard-earned dollars in the shops and supermarkets. Photo: VINO/File
A Consumer Protection Bill is likely to be considered and eventually brought before the House of Assembly by the National Democratic Party (NDP) administration with a view to protecting the purchasing public as they spend their hard-earned dollars in the shops and supermarkets. Photo: VINO/File
This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith who was speaking at a press conference held on October 8, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith who was speaking at a press conference held on October 8, 2015. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – A Consumer Protection Bill is likely to be considered and eventually brought before the House of Assembly by the National Democratic Party administration (NDP) with a view to protecting the purchasing public as they use their hard-earned dollars in the shops and supermarkets.

This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith who was speaking at a press conference on October 8, 2015.

He was responding to a question which was based on the mock debate held by the Virgin Islands Youth Parliament on the need for consumer protection agency for the territory. The debate was held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College on Friday October 2, 2015.

The Motion being debated was that the House of Assembly of the Virgin Islands agrees to implement a Consumer Protection Agency to regulate prices and ensure best value for money for consumers of the Virgin Islands.

“It is something that we had begun to think about under the last Administration,” Premier Smith said in response to the question. According to the Premier, connected to this intention is the Government’s strengthening of the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs in order for it to engage in more trade and investment promotion.

“We are now strengthening and deepening the remit of the Trade Department to include more trade and investment promotion and [on matters which include consumer protection],” he said.

According to the Departments’ website, the Consumer Affairs Unit of the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs is charged with the responsibility for dealing with consumer related matters. “The unit advises consumers on their rights and responsibilities, monitors commercial activities to determine adverse trade practices while identifying issues affecting consumers, receives and investigates consumer complaints and conduct continuous field research into consumer needs/preferences as they relate to goods, services and prices.”

It has been observed by our readers that there are a lot of issues that speak to the need for better consumer protection, among them are price setting as it relates to rental of apartments and vehicles, consumer purchase, food expiration, return and exchange policies and many other issues that consumers in the territory face daily.

13 Responses to “Consumer Protection Bill likely – Premier Smith”

  • CONSUMER (12/10/2015, 15:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Probably worth rushing something through next week. Don't spend too much time on drafting as the general public can further identify areas which need to be thought about, and the law can be amended and brought into a more appropriate form by the beginning of next year.
  • wize up (12/10/2015, 15:43) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yep!!!! a few months just before the next election
  • qc (12/10/2015, 15:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    t will be weak and on the side of businesses you watch
  • ... (12/10/2015, 16:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Best thing I read in a while.. they need to move swiftly with this one...
  • When pigs fly (12/10/2015, 17:20) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Little faith in this ever coming into being. How can any government in the BVI pass legislation that could hurt the pockets of the wealthy that support the government? If the landlords and the business owners have to provide quality products at reasonable prices then many will falter and/or fail. When this society is based so much upon patting the backs of the few it is unlikely we will ever see this come to fruition. Legislation for the good of the many such as Consumer Protection or Tennant Acts will hurt the ones with money and power. Consider also how difficult it is to have a business license approved if your plan might increase competition with a long standing business! Everyone with a legal business plan should have the right to pursue a business venture. If they have the finances to do so and have the business plan to succeed then they should be given the chance. A few people with veto power should not squash the dreams of others. If competition means less monopoly and less money in the pockets of the few, so be it. If an ancient business goes under then it is their own fault.

    Finally I will suggest that the Premier must work at building relationships and reduce the cost of shipping to our country. The difference in shipping costs to the USVI in comparison to "international" shipping a few miles further to us is atrocious.
  • house rent (12/10/2015, 18:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm paying $750.00 for a one bedroom fully furnished in huntums ghut. I think that's reasonable with a salary of $2,000.00 a month. What do you think?
  • Maths (12/10/2015, 18:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    750 a month times 15 years that's about $135,000.00. Just for one. One bedroom apt. Do the maths for a two bedroom at $1000,00. Times how many apartment one person has rented. Real good business.
    • rent (12/10/2015, 23:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Apartment building or any house for that matter do not magically appear. Building is costly and takes many years of saving just to get one started and then 30 years of paying the bank thousands of dollars per month, along with other expenses . So all you jealous people out there do not think that the Landlords get to put all the money in their pockets. Some people want to live in the aprtments for free and move out leaving it like a pig pen.
  • brain storm. (12/10/2015, 18:54) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Whatever cost st Thomas or puerto rico sells for. We should be paying no more than 3 or 4 dollars more Here for that same case. You get chicken legs Puerto Rico at $19,00 a case we should be paying no more than $23.00. Chicken wings at $41,00. a case we should be paying no more than $45,00. These are all 40lbs packing.
  • Civil Right (12/10/2015, 20:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Make sure that the bill has a clause where if you return a product in dew time and it is no good you can get back your money not just a credit.
  • Fairness (12/10/2015, 22:21) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    And while we are at it seek out persons who are selling clothes and cooking and delivering meals without a trade license. The businesses that operate legally, paying trade license, taxes, rent and employees are having a rough time because there are those who are trading illegally.
  • @ brain storm (13/10/2015, 08:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ brain storm---I agree with your analysis, coke and Pepsi cost 7 0r 8 dollars in St. Thomas, you add 4 dollars on as Tortola price, that will bring them to $11.00 the most, check their prices in Tortola. Sodas in St. Thomas 5 or 6 dollars a case, add 4 dollars on as Tortola price, these are all 24/12oz packs, check Tortola prices, bare in mind the people in St. Thomas and Puerto Rico are making profits at their cost. We can do a lot better. Its a good bill, hopes its not partial the NHI, looking out for the rich.------ I believe in a P.A.Y.E system.
  • Lily Ann (13/10/2015, 21:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Everytime its something to benefit the small man --- the Government always DRAGS its feet !!!! .... buh "Likely" struuuups....


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