Press Releases 2015
As consumers around the country contemplate to renew their vehicle insurance policies with the start of the New Year, the Consumer Council of Fiji is urging vehicle owners to get a valuation done.
Consumers should not be made to wait for long hours at wharfs or jetties especially when they are travelling to their islands to rejoice Christmas with their loved ones. This is a period during which consumers resort to celebrate the festive season with their families and relatives.
The Consumer Council of Fiji is cautioning consumers when hiring the services of a construction company, namely, Kingdom Falekau Homes or any new company born out of it. This company has three business partners who were operating from Davuilevu, Nasinu.
Consumers normally buy products on credit to better their standard of living. But this dream turns into a nightmare when they are taken advantage of their ignorance. One of the challenges faced by consumers is when their names get uploaded with Data Bureau in the event of defaults made by them.
The Consumer Council of Fiji calls for reforms on Data Bureau operations as consumers are facing injustices with the current system in place.
The Consumer Council of Fiji welcomes the new law which will give the Fijian consumers whose names were listed on Data Bureau database, a clean slate with no credit history.
Fijian consumers whose names are listed on Data Bureau database are now better placed to progress in their lives with the enactment of the Fair Reporting of Credit Act of 2016.
Despite the enactment of the Fair Reporting of Credit Act of 2016, consumers who owe money to their banks, hire purchase companies and other financial institutions will still have to clear their arrears.
The Consumer Council of Fiji welcomes the Health Minister, Mr Jone Usamate’s assurance to have medical complaints thoroughly investigated and improvements made to avoid further medical negligence (as reported in The Fiji Times dated 14th May 2015, page 17)
The Consumer Council of Fiji maintains its earlier call to Vodafone Fiji to improve its current 3G and 4G Networks.
If you have damaged or mutilated Bank Note then you do not have to discard it. These impaired or disfigured note is still a legal tender and is acceptable in the marketplace.
The Consumer Council of Fiji is advising consumers to be aware of the new stamp duties that are to come into effect from 1 January 2016. Service Turnver Tax (STT)
Consumers are advised to hold on to their receipts every time they purchase any goods or pay for any services from now on as this will help them know if the prices for the same goods/services have been adjusted to reflect the 6 % Value Added Tax (VAT) reduction, come 1 January 2016.
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority will now work with the Consumer Council of Fiji and the Fiji Commerce Commission to clamp down on traders who are not passing the reduction in duties and VAT to consumers.
The Consumer Council of Fiji will be hosting an ‘Open Forum’, which will bring together key players from the Financial Services Sector under one roof to have an open and frank discussion on the consumer friendly policy reforms happening in this sector.
With crazy sale and promotions underway in the build-up to the Christmas festivity, the Consumer Council of Fiji is urging consumers to be vigilant while shopping.
The Consumer Council of Fiji is advising consumers to be aware of the new stamp duties that are to come into effect from 1 January 2016.
The Consumer Council of Fiji is warning consumers against the use of Anti-Rain, a windscreen cleaning product, commonly used to bring sparkle to vehicles.
