Residents agree with the Consumer Council’s proposal to obtain more information on the prices of products and services in the local market, particularly the way prices are set, so the government can better protect customers’ rights and tackle concerted price fixing, according to an official report released yesterday about last year’s public consultation on amending the legal framework on consumer rights protection.
The consultation period was between June 12 and August 12 last year and was jointly conducted by the Consumer Council, the Legal Affairs Bureau (DSAJ) and the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM).
DSAJ Director Liu Dexue told a press conference the results show that 77 percent of the respondents who provided their opinions during the consultation period said that they are in favour of implementing measures to tackle price fixing by companies for a specific service, while 67 percent of respondents said the government should take measures against companies that abuse their market advantage.
Liu also said that the respondents agreed that companies have an obligation to provide the necessary information about the price of a specific product or service, with 75 percent saying the Consumer Council should have the power to collect such information. He added that 69 percent of the respondents agreed that the council should pass on the information to the public.
Liu stressed that possible amendments to the legal framework on consumer protection, addressing price fixing and abuse of market advantage, were meant to ensure that consumers’ rights are protected. “If the operator is found to have engaged in price fixing, it may have its licence revoked as a legal consequence,” said Liu.
“Some even suggest that the operator should be slapped with a hefty fine because it has grossly infringed consumers’ rights.”
Liu also said the government may consider drafting regulations on the new modes of consumer behaviour, such as online shopping.(macaunews/macaupost)
