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Dubai: A campaign to spread awareness among consumers and the publication of a consumers' guidebook was announced on Tuesday.
Emirates Society for Consumer Protection's campaign will provide guidance and information aimed at developing awareness among consumers.
The Emirates Society for Consumer Protection was established as a public interest society in 1989 and now has some 300 members.
Dr Jamal Al Sae'adi, Executive Director at the society, said that the campaign aims to create an atmosphere that supports a consumer culture in the country.
"To spread awareness on consumers' right has become essential at a time when inflation has hit its highest rate globally," said Al Sae'adi.
The campaign is scheduled to start by the end of May and each month, the committee will select a topic that concerns the public interest and highlight it through a monthly information booklet.
Copies
Some 20,000 copies will be distributed each month across the country.
Moreover, an eight chapter guidebook providing information on various topics that concern consumers will be published.
The topics addressed will be: what are the different bodies that work for consumer protection, rules and regulations, instructions on how to tackle rent and price increases and how to protect yourself from fraudulent real estate, as well as how to use energy and water in a smart way.
Some 50,000 copies of the guidebook will be distributed just before Ramadan in September.
"We would like to distribute the guidebook for consumer protection just before Ramadan as many retailers exploit this festive season to raise their price," said Al Sae'adi.
Information: File a complaint
Anybody who feels that his/her consumer rights have been breached, can file a complaint to the committee by calling 06-5563888 or via email info@escp.ae
More than 50 complaints daily
Emirates Society for Consumer Protection receives more than 50 complaints daily from the public.
Abdul Hamed Kumity, the head of the legal affairs committee at the society, said anybody who feels that his or her consumer rights have been infringed upon can file a complaint and the society will help in solving the problem.
"Although we as a society do not have any law enforcement power, we have set our own mechanism to help protect consumers," said Kumity.
Once the society has received a complaint, they contact the organisation to try to find an amicable solution such as a refund or replacement of the product. If the organisation does not cooperate with the society, the legal affairs committee will then issue a warning to the company after which the society might complain to the public prosecution or refer it to concerned authorities at the Ministry of Economy.
"We usually complain to the public prosecution when several complaints occur regarding the same product," said Kumity.
- Staff Report
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