Inspection is currently underway for inter-island vessels to ensure protection of consumer rights for Fijian families travelling this festive season.
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission is conducting the inspection of shipping companies to ensure that they comply with the legal requirements under the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission Act 2010 and the Commerce Control of Prices for Shipping Services, Freight Rates and Passenger Order 2016.
The Commission says that it understands that the festive season is a relatively busy time as Fijians travel to spend time with families adding that it has focused its monitoring to ensure that consumers are not overcharged and that tickets are not oversold.
It stressed that when shipping companies oversell tickets it unnecessarily compromises comfort and safety of the passenger.
Visits to the Narain Jetty, Nabouwalu Jetty and Savusavu Jetty were made by the Commission as part of its monitoring for the festive season.
The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission says that people who have issues pertaining to inter‑island shipping services are encouraged to contact the Commission to lodge their complaints.
It says if consumers feel they have been overcharged on freight rates whilst transporting goods to and from islands, people are urged to report such matters to the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission.
