Consumer protection is a government priority

A dramatic play “Consumer Cry” showed Yemeni consumers and their common complaints

Prime Minister Dr. Ali Mohammed Mujawar has confirmed the government has adopted a food security strategy in partnership with the private sector, civil society and non-government organizations (NGOs). 

Mujawar made these statements during a ceremony for World Consumer Day, organized by the Yemeni Society for Consumer Protection, and observed on the fifteenth of March each year. 

He stressed the aim of this strategy is to reflect food security as a comprehensive concept, which ensures the state’s capacity to cope with this manner of crisis, and allows government to intervene to ensure the balance of the market even in the darkest circumstances.

Consumer protection is a government priority, and the essential responsibility of the government according to the presidential platform.

The Prime Minister said, “The government is concerned with consumer protection as a fundamental duty, not only on this day, but throughout the year. He continued saying “the government is working to ensure the basic needs of all consumers, and to help them achieve a better and more stable life.” 

He pointed to the importance and significance of the celebration of International Consumer Day, not only for consumers but also for the state and government.

He used this occasion to praise the remarkable efforts undertaken by various civil society organizations to protect the consumer, which reflects the prominent role of the partnership between the government and NGOs in protecting consumer interests.

“We are concerned with the slogan for this occasion, The challenges of food for children.” Thus, we are partners for consumer protection, especially children.

The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s moves regarding their efforts to achieve a safe and fair environment for consumers, as well as a more balanced response to the eight consumer rights detailed in the Consumer Protection Law, issued September 2008.

He explained that the government’s efforts follow three paths; the first is improving development at the legislative level. This step is to be implemented to enable the issuance of a package of laws to stimulate a capable productive environment with will contribute to the needs of consumers. 

The second step regards raising money, this is set in the context of development plans, to strengthen and improve infrastructure and basic services. For the third path, Mujawar said, “The government is working to build a truly effective and productive partnership with NGOs and the private sector to achieve a comprehensive, sustainable and balanced development in the framework of a strong economy.

For his part, Dr. Yahya al-Mutawakel, the Minister of Industry and Trade delivered a speech reviewing the responsibilities of the ministry regarding the protection of consumer rights. He stressed that the fulfillment of those rights should come in the framework of a comprehensive policy, which will take into consideration the free-market to ensure the integrity of the relationship between concerned bodies and the consumer. 

Al-Mutawakel emphasized the eagerness of the Ministry to secure consumer protection, which will be achieved by means of cooperation and integration between the government, the private sector, civil society organizations and the media.

He exemplified the efforts carried out by government to overcome the global food crisis and prices crisis through positive partnership with the private sector.

The Yemen Society for Consumer Protection is eager to implement a number of campaigns as there is not enough awareness, said Fadhel Mansour, Vice-President of the Yemen Society for Consumer Protection, a non-governmental organization. 

There are many challenges facing Yemeni consumers, including serious abuses of the consumer market, Mansour said. Those abuses include the circulation of goods which do not conform to official standards, the provision of poor quality services and commercial imitation, counterfeiting and smuggling. An additional problem is the circulation and use of unsafe pesticides, as well as the import and smuggling of pesticides that are not on the officially-approved list. 

Mansour said consumers in Yemen face real difficulties in obtaining their basic needs, such as clean water, a proper living environment, safe roads and adequate housing. Those difficulties and challenges result from a lack of legislation providing protection for consumers. 

He called on the government to toughen legislation and issue additional laws related to consumer protection. He demanded the activation of concerned institutions and executive agencies with the granting of full powers necessary to them in order to protect consumers. 

As part of the World Consumer Day awareness campaign a dramatic play called “Consumer Cry” was performed at the ceremony to highlight Yemeni consumers and their common complaints, the occasion was attended by a number of ministers and officials from the relevant authorities.

Related Content

•  YGSMRB, Total Co. sign finance agreement
•  40 tons of food confiscated
•  Tenders opened for first explorative well of geothermal energy
•  National exports increase
•  Cabinet approves IDA loan
•  Securities Authority establishment approved
•  Family budgets increases by 40 percent for Ramadan
•  Yemen to start tourism promotion campaign in Europe
•  Yemen fish revenues increase
•  Yemen considers Philippine microfinance