The theme selected by Consumers International for World Consumers Rights Day is ‘Our Money – Our Right.’ Do we always have a right?
Forty-eight years ago the former USA President, John Kennedy, on March 15, declared that consumers have 4 basic rights – the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose and the right to be heard.

It is the last right that tends to be overlooked; when our consumers are told to do this or do that, and they question the wisdom of the order, they hesitate to voice an opinion openly for fear of being victimized. So they grumble in their homes and hope for divine intervention. This attitude does not help our consumer to achieve what is the ultimate aim – a society where freedom of speech is recognised and permitted.

Do we want a marketplace that works for us? Or will we be ever satisfied with a marketplace that works against us? Should we have consumers heavily in debt while our government closes its eyes to the growing poverty that embraces us?

Take the order to have all taxis painted yellow. The taxi service business has encountered a slack period in recent months, and the offer by the government to forego something like ninety thousand dollars will not compensate for the cost of repainting a taxi in yellow.

There is no promise that VAT charges will be removed; that order stands. What is the difference between ordering taxis to be painted yellow, from, say, an order to paint the roof of your residence green or all houses in a given colour?

The voices of consumers are not heard and therefore the marketplace continues to work against us.

I came across a document on consumer rights which I think bears testimony to the need for consumers to be more vigilant and active. It goes like this:
“A marketplace that works with you? or a marketplace that works against you? It’s Your Choice
“Consumer Rights
Government legislation and ethical business recognise these:
• The RIGHT to be informed
• The RIGHT to Safety
• The RIGHT to redress.
• The RIGHT to choose
• The RIGHT to a healthy environment
•. The RIGHT to a consumer education
•. The RIGHT to be heard
“Consumer Responsibilities
•  The RESPONSIBILITY to search out and use available information. The RESPONSIBILITY to read instructions and take precautions

• The RESPONSIBILITY to fight for the quality you believe you should be receiving

• The RESPONSIBILITY to make your own independent and informed consumer choices

• The RESPONSIBLITY to minimize environmental damage through careful choice and use of consumer goods and services

• The RESPONSIBILITY to take advantage of educational opportunities

• The RESPONSIBILITY to make your own opinions known
“Consumer Actions
•  CHOOSE to read labels, follow instructions, and research before you purchase

• CHOOSE to use safety equipment, use products as instructed, teach safety habits to children

• CHOOSE to complain effectively and refuse to accept shoddy workmanship

• CHOOSE to resist high pressure sales people, and to comparison shop

• CHOOSE to reduce waste, reuse products wherever possible and recycle

• CHOOSE to attend seminars and workshops; lobby for consumer education in schools

• CHOOSE to join Guyana Consumers Association and make your voice heard
“Exercise your responsibilities and strengthen your rights.

“Responsible consumers create a better marketplace.

“It’s Your Choice!”