HARARE, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean Parliament is holding public consultations on a consumer protection bill which seeks to protect consumers of goods and services and regulate consumer advocacy organizations.
The five-day consultations which began Monday are being done by the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce.
Members of the public, interested groups and organizations will be able to present their views on the bill for inclusion in the Portfolio Committee's report to the National Assembly in due course.
The purpose of the bill is to protect the consumer of goods and services by establishing the Consumer Protection Agency whose functions will be centered on the protection of consumers from unjust, unreasonable, improper and unacceptable, deceptive, unfair and fraudulent conduct and trading practices.
Zimbabweans are largely protected by consumer watchdog the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, but many feel that it does not have the legal clout to stop businesses from profiteering tendencies.
Apart from mere profiteering, some businesses either manufacture or import sub-standard goods.
The proposed law therefore seeks to provide for the consumers' right to consumer education which includes environmental impacts, benefits, costs and hazards among other areas; and for the right to fair value, good quality and safety of goods and services.
It further provides redress to the consumer when a violation occurs.
The proposed law also places liability on suppliers, producers and importers to be responsible for disposal of goods, components, remnants, containers or packaging into a common waste collection system.
