Republic of Mauritius- Amendments in the legislation brought to enhance consumer protection, says Minister Sawmynaden

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GIS – 13 May, 2020: In view of better protecting consumers, Government through the Covid-19
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, is toughening the law against those traders
who believe they can do whatever they want in all impunity. The Consumer
Protection (Price and Supplies Control) Act is therefore being amended to
provide for tougher penalties, with aim not to penalise traders but to address
cases of abuse towards the consumers.

 

The Minister of
Commerce and Consumer Protection, Mr Yogida Sawmynaden, made this statement
during his intervention today in the context of the introduction of the
Covid-19 (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill and the Quarantine Bill at the National
Assembly.

 

Minister Sawmynaden
highlighted that traders who do not respect the law may face suspensions or
revocation of their trade license. Once enacted, he underlined, the Act will
provide fixed penalty notice which will be issued by an authorised officer who
detects any offence such as abusive prices by traders. Once the fixed penalty
is served upon the trader, the latter will have to pay the fine within 21 days,
failing which criminal proceedings will be instituted against him or her, he
pointed out.

 

The Covid-19
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, underlined the Minister, will also bring
amendments to the Landlord and Tenants Act, the Central Electricity Board Act
and the Central Water Authority Act so as not to penalise persons or families
who have not been able to pay their bills during the lockdown period.

 

He further recalled
that, right from the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Government has taken a
series of bold actions so as to prevent the virus from having disastrous
effects on Mauritius. With the adoption of new legislation which brings along
the amendment of numerous existing laws, he underlined, the country will be in
a better position to pursue its fight to curb the novel coronavirus and set the
pace to combat any eventual disease that may come across in the future.

 

Following the adoption
of the Covid-19 Bill, underscored Minister Sawmynaden, normal activities of the
population will have to be carried out in strict conditions, where facemasks,
hand sanitising and social distancing will be an integral part of one’s daily
life in a bid to avoid resurgence of the coronavirus in Mauritius. The measures
proposed, he highlighted, are proportionate to the risk factor. Furthermore,
sanitary and medical measures being implemented in Mauritius are perfectly in
line with the recommendations of the World Health Organisation, he added.

 

Government Information Service, Prime
Minister’s Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius.
Email: 
gis@govmu.org  Website: http://gis.govmu.org  Mobile App: Search Gov

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