The World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) is celebrated every year and this year’s focus is on the mobile telecommunication sector, with the theme “Fix Our Phone Rights”.
The Consumer Council of Fiji together with the Software Foundation Fiji will host a Speak-Out session on 14 March 2014 at the University of the South Pacific, to highlight consumer grievances and to promote consumer rights.
The Speak-Out session will involve young adults as the theme is of interest to many young Fijians, most of who are tech-savvy and are active users of mobile phones. The session will be held at the faculty of Business/Economics Conference Room, at 10 am and will be officially opened by the Minister responsible for consumer affairs- the Attorney-General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
With the success of mobile telecommunications, consumers are confronted with number of challenges and concerns that have gravely afflicted their rights. The quality, reliability, accessibility, fairness, and even integrity of mobile services have come increasingly under the Council’s spotlight.
Consumers feel ripped-off, misled, and ignored by those eager to charge them for their unreliable phone services. There is a need to drastically improve services, Terms & Conditions, contracts and data protection for mobile phone customers in Fiji and around the world.
The Council has also invited key stakeholders from the telecommunication sector to participate in the “Speak Out” session, with a hope to have an open, fair and meaningful discussion on the issues and to find a way forward for necessary reforms in the mobile industry.
With mobile phone technology fast becoming part and parcel of our life, the Council believes there is an urgent need for necessary reforms as more and more consumers of mobile phones are now seeking redress from the Council for a range of issues.
It is time for fairness to prevail.
Ms. Premila Kumar