Continuing last Wednesday’s debate on the Consumer Affairs Amendment Bill, Competitiveness and Communications Minister Censu Galea, on Monday highlighted that through the legislation, consumers would be in a better position to make informed choices with regard to the products they choose to buy, so their needs could be better met.
The minister stressed the importance of correct information being conveyed in a way that could be clearly understood, so as to avoid fraud. He used the FAIR initiative as an example, which he said brought about consumer security as well as benefits for the product and the service provider.
The legislation implements a European Directive which includes certain restrictions on people who abuse of this consumer information. “Through the implementation of this bill we want to eliminate second hand products on the market, as well as products that pose a danger to the consumer, for instance products that contain chemicals.” The proposed bill would also make provisions for RAPEX Alert – EU member states sharing information about products that become available on the market, especially if the products pose any sort of threat so that action may be against the provider.
Mr Galea said that the Consumers’ Association should ensuring that the information provided is correct. He also commended Commissioner Kuneva for opening the European Centre for Consumers in Malta.
“One can go there to gather information and make use of their services with regard to consumer protection. This way, the Consumers’ Association can better operate and expand its knowledge, representation and service provision.”
The minister voiced his utter disapproval with regard to information given on a One TV programme, during which a caller said that Architect Catherine Galea, who recently resigned from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, was his wife. The Education Ministry asked for a correction, but though this was promised, it was never broadcast. Upon checking again yesterday, the presenter said he had forgotten. “It was a planned telephone call! This is what the station wants to do – tarnish one’s name!”
MLP’s main spokesperson for social solidarity Marie Louis Coleiro Preca, said that the bill is of extreme importance because it is of benefit to the consumer, as well as the Maltese product. It continues to integrate Malta into the EU’s internal market.
She stressed that the government’s responsibility does not begin and end with this legislation; it must continue providing more information, enforcement and measures to propagate it. “Citizens at large need to be properly informed about this legislation. People do not read the Government Gazette! The fair trading department should be providing this information.”
Asking about Market Surveillance, Dr Coleiro Preca questioned as to how many MS proficient people the government employs, or whether training, or opportunities to further their knowledge in the sector are available. She also asked the minister what studies are being undertaken regarding National Consumer Policy, as stated in the directive.
Explaining the EU Consumer Policy Strategy aims – boosting economic growth, creating more jobs and bringing Europe closer to you – Dr Coleiro Preca went through the objectives of the directive in depth. She said there should be “affordable access to all essential services” and mentioned, in particular, the electricity surcharge.
She said the Directive is there to increase consumer confidence, as well as to harmonise EU legislation.
Furthermore, the bill ought to have been enacted seven-and-a-half months ago, since in 2011 the directive will be reviewed and that the deadline for more legislation on a National Level to better protect the Consumer was 2013. “It is evident that the government did not want to discuss this development beforehand,” she said. “This government is not empowering consumers. It does not have market transparency. It doesn’t even have the structures to conduct it. It is not moving along with the EU Directive’s raison d’etre.”
Taking the floor, MLP’s main spokesperson for Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development Noel Farrugia reprimanded the government for injustices in the field of Consumer Provision. He said “total fall” of the Maltese turkey market, due to there being no slaughter house that conformed with EU Standards, resulted in the consumer having to buy frozen foreign produce, even though the government allegedly subsidised the sector with Lm1million.
He also spoke of value for money, in that to maintain the rights of consumers, it is not solely remedies against fraud that must be envisaged, but also quality and value for money. “We need a more inclusive society and pay attention not only to the Directive, but also to the fundamental Human Rights.”