Currently, the widespread sale of adulterated and low-quality products in the market and the abnormal increase in the prices of essential commodities have made life difficult for common people. In many cases, some unscrupulous traders are creating artificial shortages through hoarding and market manipulation, causing suffering to consumers.
Citizen representatives made these remarks at rallies and protest meetings held in the capital on Sunday marking World Consumer Rights Day. The programme was organized by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) in front of the National Press Club.
At the protest meeting, CAB President and former Secretary A H M Shafiquzzaman said that although the day is celebrated worldwide, it is unfortunate that it is not celebrated nationally in Bangladesh. He alleged that the prices of essential commodities are increasing unreasonably due to syndicates in the market. Calling on the government, he said that the syndicates should be broken up quickly and peace should be restored in the market.
Brigadier General (Retd.) Shams A Khan, president of the Dhaka district of CAB, said that the government should take effective measures to break the syndicate to keep the daily commodities market stable.
Bangladesh Civil Society Convener Mohiuddin Ahmed said that some unscrupulous traders are controlling the market through syndicates using the government party's signboards. If the government stops this opportunity for them, then the syndicate will be broken to a large extent.
CAB Treasurer Dr. Munjur-e-Khoda Tarafdar said that the government should take quick and effective steps to protect the rights of consumers and establish a fair market system.
CAB Organizing Secretary Professor Dr. Syed Mizanur Rahman Raju said that World Consumer Rights Day is not being officially observed in the country, which is unfortunate. If consumer rights are not recognized nationally, it will become difficult to implement them.
Former CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince said that it is necessary to ensure safe and affordable production of products right from the production stage. In addition, syndicates should be broken in big markets and strict vigilance should be maintained against adulterated and toxic products. He stressed the importance of ensuring safe food and safe water.
CAB General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan said that the organization has been agitating for the establishment of consumer rights for a long time. He urged the government to take effective initiatives to control the market of daily necessities.
The speakers also said that due to lack of ethics among traders, the market is becoming unstable around Ramadan and Eid. Consumers, the government and all concerned must work together to deal with this situation.
The speakers at the event raised several demands to protect the interests of consumers. These include taking strict action against adulterated, fake and unsafe products; legal action against unreasonable increase in commodity prices and hoarding; Clearly stating the correct price, production and expiry date of the product; stopping false advertising and misleading information; strengthening market surveillance; modernizing and implementing the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009 and ensuring the safety of products sold online and in e-commerce.
On March 15, 1962, US President John F. Kennedy made a historic announcement in the US Congress about the fundamental rights of consumers. In memory of that event, the day has been celebrated worldwide since 1983. Since then, the civic organization CAB has been celebrating the day in Bangladesh as well.
