Consumers plight report to be launched tomorrow

A report is expected to be launched tomorrow detailing the plight of consumers when it comes to financial services.

The report compiled by the Consumer Council of Fiji focuses on "Fair financial services".

Consumer Council Chief Executive Premila Kumar said that the reason for focusing on financial services for this year's World Consumer Day is the fact that in Fiji, consumer concerns against the conduct and trade practices of banks have for long been a matter of public debate.

She added that in 1998, a six-member Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into Financial Services was set up and their main areas of focus were high fees, charges and interest rates; poor service delivery by banks amongst other things.

According to Kumar, the inquiry's report released as a parliamentary paper in February 1999, indicated widespread public dissatisfaction and number of recommendations were made however much has not changed.

The Book will be launched tommorrow by the Trade Minister and Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum.

Story by: Paradise Tabucala