March 11, 2002
WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY
Consumer Voices For Change

‘Consumer voices for change’, that’s the theme for this year’s World Consumer Rights Day, Friday, March 15, 2002.

Consumer movements worldwide celebrate World Consumer Rights Day annually. It is generally a day to remember the basic rights of the consumer and to be aware that it is these rights, which form the basis of work by the world consumer movement, including the Consumer Affairs Commission. World Consumer Rights Day this year is calling on consumers to speak up, speak out and take action for change. This year, the consumer’s right to be heard is the focus of attention, as consumers are being encouraged to become advocates on their own behalf and demand recognition and representation in government consultation and decision making processes. The day will be used as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of a strong independent consumer movement as a source of effective and authoritative advice. The Consumer Affairs Commission will seize the opportunity to teach consumers what it will take to become an advocate as well as to raise the awareness about the need for a Consumer Protection Legislation.

At the international level, Consumers International is renewing its campaign to get the World Trade Organization (WTO) to recognize formally the participation of consumer representatives in its work. Consumers International, the global federation of over 250 consumer organizations in 115 countries, argues that consumer representation leads to more effective markets which also serves the interest of the broader economic community. A survey carried out by Consumers International reveals that consumer representation is relatively extensive in some areas but not in others, particularly competition, trade, poverty alleviation and financial services regulation.

Over the years, countries like Brazil, through strong consumer advocacy groups have lobbied successfully for higher quality standard in condoms. They campaigned for almost a decade for rigorous and regular testing, heavy fines on importers of brands that fail quality controls and improvement to the government certification system. In Cameroon, consumer groups campaigned successfully to get consumer protection issues integrated into programs for health, social services, education and governance. It is this kind of advocacy that the Consumer Affairs Commission hopes to generate within the Jamaican populace, to form strong alliances/groups in order to have a stronger voice on matters that affect them.

World Consumer Rights Day in Jamaica this year will be marked by a series of activities commencing with a live radio broadcast from the Baywest Shopping Center in Montego Bay. The broadcast will include a panel discussion, which will seek to identify “who’s responsible for protecting the consumer and whether there is adequate consumer protection legislation in Jamaica. Activities for the day will continue with an exposition, live entertainment, fun and games and giveaways.