IT seems that after years of agitation, a bill to provide for the promotion and protection of consumer rights in relation to the supply of goods and services and for the protection of life, health and safety of consumers may soon become a reality.
The Bill had its first reading in Parliament not too long ago, but since then has been floating between the office of the Attorney General and the Consumer Department of the Ministry of Commerce.
The National Consumers Association has been working hard to see this bill pass through parliament and according to its president, Trevor Albert and past president, Kingsley St. Hill they will continue to agitate for this all important piece of legislation on behalf of consumers.
“We are in dialogue with the Minister where this bill is concerned,” Albert said.
“Most of the difficult areas regarding the bill have been dealt with. Now we are requesting a meeting with the consumer department of the Ministry with regard to the bill…this is where we now are where the bill is concerned,” he added.
The bill is largely based on model consumer protection legislation prepared by the Drafting Unit of the CARICOM Secretariat for adoption by each CARICOM Member State.