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LATEST MEDIA RELEASES
Consumers urged to actively participate in phase two of the review of FEA tariff rates
11 August - The Consumer Council of Fiji wishes to urge consumers to make oral and written submissions on how they are affected by the increase in tariff rates. Since the implementation of the June 2010 tariff rates, the Council has been inundated with complaints from confused and frustrated consumers on exorbitant electricity bills. This is a good opportunity for consumers to present their case to the Commerce Commission. From January to July 2010, the Council received 71 complaints against FEA excluding complaints lodged by consumers by phone. Read more.
Consumers unaware of daily average use for tariff line
6 August - The Consumer Council of Fiji would like to clarify that majority of the consumers are not aware that the Fiji Electricity Authority has been using the daily average rate to determine a customer’s tariff line. This is the one of the main reasons that the Council and the Commerce Commission have been inundated with complaints. Read more.
Council Calls for the Abolishment of the Security Deposits by FEA
3 August - The Consumer Council of Fiji is calling for the abolishment of the security deposits levied by Fiji Electricity Authority. The Council believes that FEA’s security deposit requirement is illogical if consumers have not defaulted payments. In addition to this, security deposit is an archaic requirement and should be abolished. Read more.
Council wants FEA to clarify billing for low end users
26 July - The Consumer Council of Fiji wants the Fiji Electricity Authority to clarify how the electricity provider had calculated bills for the low end users who consume less than 130 kWh of electricity per month. According to the new tariff structure, tariff for low end electricity users consuming less 130 kWh per month will be reduced from 20.59 cents per unit to 17.20 cents per unit. However, Council has been inundated with complaints from consumers consuming less than 130kWh of electricity being charged 34.84 cents per unit, a tariff charge for consumers consuming more than 130 kWh per month. The Council wants FEA to explain why these consumers are charged 34.84 cents per unit when Commerce Commission determination on 1st of June , 2010 stated that Domestic Life-Line Tariff (≤ 130kWh per month) will be charged 17.20 cents per unit...Full text (PDF)
Consumers advised not to buy KSRAM brand energy saving bulb
14 July - The Consumer Council of Fiji would like to advice consumers not to buy KSRAM brand bulb after an advice from Fiji Electricity Authority (FEA) to have these bulbs recalled from the shelves and have it tested for conformity. KSRAM energy saving bulb (18 Watts, 220-240Volts) is a product from Asia and is sold in most supermarkets, small shops and hardware stores. According to FEA, this product is to be recalled from the shelves and tested for conformity and the retailer is to submit conformity papers from a recognised approval agency. Read more.
Sausage makers not disclosing sausage casing ingredients
14 July - The Consumer Council of Fiji wants food manufacturers to fully disclose information on the ingredients used for sausage casing on labels. The call comes after the Council received complaints from individuals and the largest Hindu religious organization- Sanatan Dharam Prithinidhi Sabha of Fiji on some brands of sausages sold in supermarkets not disclosing sausage casing ingredients or having labels with beef ingredient written in very small prints. There is a growing concern among consumers that food labels should disclose all information so that consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Read more.
Pacific Sun should stop being indifferent to consumers
9 July - Pacific Sun, Fiji’s only domestic airline, continues to use its dominant position to dictate domestic air travel and nothing is being done by the authorities to stop the airline from making inconsiderate decisions which affects the consumers. The reports in the media today on Pacific Sun passengers bound for Lakeba seeking help from police to sort out problems with their luggage is another example of the airline being indifferent to consumers needs. What is sad is that nothing is being done by the authorities to hold the domestic carrier responsible and compensate for consumer’s losses. Read more.
Consumers cheated by retailers with defective scales
9 July - Some unscrupulous and irresponsible retailers are cheating consumers and not giving them value for the money, by using defective scales. The Consumer Council in the past two weeks received two complaints from the Nasinu area on underweight bread and incorrectly measured kerosene. Read more.
Council calls for better standards for electrical goods
8 July - The Consumer Council wants better standards set and enforced for electrical goods coming into the country. This is after Council received 76 complaints on electronic goods from January to June 2010. In 2009 a total of 129 complaints were received and the Council expects this years figure to be much higher. The Council has found that many electronic products flooding the market are giving consumers false expectations about their quality and longevity. Read more.
Take incentives and deliver
2 July - The Consumer Council of Fiji sees the revised 2010 Budget as logical and practical and we urge consumers as well as businesses to take advantage of the incentives given in the budget. The Council believes that Government is being socially responsible by providing the means to spur economic activity and growth that will benefit all sectors of society and people should make the most of these benefits. Read more
Consumers continue to suffer from Pacific Sun’s inconsiderate decisions
1 July - Consumers in Fiji continue to suffer from inconsiderate and thoughtless decisions of Pacific Sun and what is of more concern to the Consumer Council of Fiji is that nothing is being done to stop the domestic carrier from dictating the terms of domestic air travel. Read more.
Council lauds code for advertising
1 July - The Consumer Council of Fiji welcomes the General Code of Practice for Advertisements and Code for Advertising to Children in the Media Industry Development Decree 2010 as this will help curb misleading and deceptive advertising which has been a persistent problem for the Council for years. Council has on many occasions called for some sort of regulations for advertisements because of the numerous complaints it has been receiving on deceptive and misleading advertisements. Read more.
Consumers seek explanation from Connect for poor service delivery
1 July - Once again, customers of internet service provider (ISP) Connect are calling for answers and honest information from the company regarding two-weeks of on-going poor service delivery and customer care. Connect had informed its customers on 17th June, 2010 that it was carrying out “major system upgrades commencing from Friday 18 June, 2010 – Sunday 20 June 2010” and it “will ensure that there is minimal or no disruptions to internet services.” Read more.
Council empowers people with disabilities on their consumer rights
30 June - The Consumer Council of Fiji in partnership with the Fiji Disabled Peoples Association (FDPA) is holding a half- day workshop to empower people with disabilities on their consumer rights. The workshop, “Empowering People with Disabilities on their Consumer Rights” was held today at the FDPA Headquarters at 3 Brown Street from 9am and was attended by members from 9 FDPA affiliates. Read more.
Tourists put off by increased costs of domestic air travel
24 June - The Consumer Council of Fiji has received complaints from disgruntled tourists on Pacific Sun’s baggage policy which is costing them extra dollars. Some tourists have paid $145 to $400 extra for their baggage which they deemed excessive and unfair. In April 2010, Pacific Sun revised its baggage policy for connecting flights which not only affects Air Pacific passengers but also passengers using other airlines such as Jet Star, Air New Zealand to name a few. Read more.
Council reiterates calls for improvements in taxi industry
22 June - The Consumer Council of Fiji believes that instead of calling for fare increase, the Fiji Taxi Union (FTU) should work on bringing efficiency and better services in the taxi industry. All FTU has ever done is call for fare increase but what actions has it taken to remove inefficient taxi operators and their dilapidated vehicles from the industry to give better services to consumers for the money they pay.Read more.
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