CAN I SPECIFY THE TYPE OF REDRESS ACTION I WOULD PREFER?

As many consumers are already aware, there are several laws enacted in the Jamaican constitution that exist to protect the rights of consumers. These Consumer Protection Laws entrench the consumer's right of redress and indicate in what circumstances the consumer is entitled to compensation.

Unfortunately, however, none of these laws outline when the consumer can ask for a cash refund as opposed to a repair or replacement of goods which he has purchased and with which he is not satisfied.

However, there is currently a bill being debated called, the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) that will specify those instances in which the consumer can demand a particular type of redress action.

The CPA aims to define clearly, the obligations and privileges of users and providers of goods and services; establish effective grievance and other redress procedures and grant important powers that will enable the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) to function more effectively.

The Consumer Protection Act is expected to come into effect later this year. There are currently over 100 laws on the books that speak to consumer protection in one way or the other. For details of some of these laws, you can visit Consumer Laws