Consumer rights activism needed
While the country has made remarkable strides in economic development with most of the consumer products manufactured within the country, the notion of consumer rights is still non-existent. This also applies to the educated classes who are either not bothered about it or have scant idea of how this works. Yet, in the developed countries, strong awareness about consumer rights pressurizes the manufacturers to maintain quality at all times. Whereas in Bangladesh, consumers sometimes raise a hullaballoo over an item which is expired or if the food served in a restaurant does not meet the expected standard. But the complaints are never placed formally and to tackle this aberration, consumers may now dial 16121 of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, DNCRP to get assistance.
This is indeed uplifting news and the government deserved kudos but the authority also has to take measures along with all big super shops plus markets to popularise the basics of consumer rights and the provision to lodge a complaint and ask for help. Unless the helpline number is widely publicised, people will not know about it and the facility will remain unused. The super shop owners and other stores have the duty to set up visible posters at all their outlets to ensure buyers know the number and its function. Concurrently, the authority may run a television based nationwide campaign to make people outside the cities aware of their rights. The eight basic consumer rights: The rights to, satisfaction of basic needs, safety, information, choice, redress, consumer education, consumer representation and healthy environment should be clearly delineated at all stores, restaurants and other spots. The government can also work with Consumers International which advocates the rights of the consumer to get fair, safe and honest services.
One last step is to take the support of the mobile operators to send in SMS messages about the help line so the presence of such a facility is in the minds of the people. One manufacturer of a product is also a consumer in another sector and therefore, the need to provide the best to expect the best has to be inculcated.
