Consumer Council of Zimbabwe: Empowering Consumers for Fairness
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Presentation by Miss R. Siyachitema
Executive Director of the Consumer Council of
Zimbabwe
The formation of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe can be traced as far back as
1955 and was
spurred by economic problems resulting from increased costs of living
and violation of
manufacturing standards.
The formation was spearheaded by two prominent Women’s organizations, which
had active interest in consumer issues, and these were the National Women’s
Organizations (NWO) and the Federation of Women’s Institutes (FWI).
The then Salisbury consumer movement group was aimed at ensuring that
consumers would not only get value for their money, but that primary producers and
manufacturers produced items of high standards which could compete with imported
processed foods and manufactured goods.
It is against this background that the CCZ was born in the structure we know today
on the 5
th
of December 1975, registered as a welfare organization in terms of
subsection (5) of section 9 of the Welfare Organizations Act (Chapter 93) and its
registration number is W.O. 9/85.
VISION
As Consumer Council of Zimbabwe we shall always strive for a ‘fair
deal’ for our consumers within the market place.
MISSION
Consumer Council of Zimbabwe strives to become a visible and
highly effective consumer empowerment and protection
organisation in the country that unconditionally upholds the
interests of all its stakeholders through the establishment and
management of effective networks with fellow consumer
organisations worldwide, and through the management of a
competent and well-motivated staff.
The CCZ has successfully clamoured for the enactment
of legislation such as:
Consumer Contract Act
Competition Act
Class Action Act
Small Claims Court Act
Patients Charter
National Incomes and Pricing Commission Act (2007)
Currently, CCZ is in the forefront of pushing for the
Zimbabwe Consumer Protection Act.
“Consumers by definition, include us all,”
Kennedy said in his congregational
statement, ‘they are the largest economic
group affecting and affected by almost every
public and private economic decision. Yet
they are the only important group.....whose
views are often not heard’.
Over time, the consumer movement has
developed this vision into a set of eight basic
consumer rights that now define and inspire
much of the work CCZ do.
What we do
We work with our members and partners globally, to
empower and champion the rights of consumers, and ensure
they are treated safely, fairly and honestly.
There are
eight basic consumer rights
which define and
determine our principles. You can also read about
our work
to
protect and empower consumers everywhere.
With over 240 Member organisations in 120 countries, we are
building a powerful international movement to help protect and
empower consumers everywhere.
Founded in 1960, we are fighting for a fair, safe and sustainable
future for all consumers in a global marketplace increasingly
dominated by international corporations.
CI is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and
registered in the UK (company no. 04337865). We are also a
registered UK charity (no. 1122155).
World Consumer Rights Day is an annual occasion for celebration and
solidarity within the international consumer movement. But more
importantly it is a time for promoting the basic rights of all consumers,
for demanding that those rights are respected and protected, and for
protesting the market abuses and social injustices which undermine
them.
World Consumer Rights Day was first observed on March 15, 1983, and
has since become an important occasion for mobilizing citizen action.
Consumer organizations, such as Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ),
around the world use materials produced by Consumers International
(CI), which is the worldwide federation of consumer organizations,
representing over 230 agencies in 113 countries. Consumer
organizations generate local initiatives and media coverage for their
work over the coming year.
World Consumer Rights Day was established to promote the basic rights
of consumers everywhere, on the 15
th
of March every year, the global
consumer movement unites around a common theme to deliver exciting
array of campaigning activities.
CCZ has celebrated WCRD since its inception and the following have been some of the
themes:
2003 – Corporate control of the food chain: the GM link
2004 – Consumers and Water
2005 – Call for Action on GMOs
2006 – Energy – Sustainable Access for All
2007 – Unethical Drug Promotion
2008 – Junk Food Generation
2009 – Junk Food Generation
2010 – Our Money, Our Rights
2011 – Consumers for fair financial services
2012 – Our Money, Our Rights (Campaigning for real choice in financial services)
2013 – Consumer Justice Now
2014 – Consumer Rights in the Digital Age - Fix our phone rights
2015 – Healthy Diets
2016 – Antibiotic Resistance
2017 – Building a Digital World Consumers can trust
The Right to:
1.
Basic needs – to have access to basic
necessities such as food, shelter, clothing,
health and education.
2.
Safety – to be protected against hazardous
products and services.
3.
Be Informed – to be fully informed about issues
that affect consumers’ consumption patterns
and protected against dishonest or misleading
advertising and labelling.
4.
Choose – to be able to select from a wide range
of products and services offered at competitive
prices with assurance of satisfactory quality.
5.
Be heard – to have consumer interests
represented in the making and execution of
government policy and in the development of
products and services.
6.
Redress – to seek refunds for just claims,
including compensation for misrepresentation,
shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services.
7.
Consumer Education – to be educated on
products and services offered to him or her
8.
A healthy environment – to be able to live in a
healthy and non – threatening environment.
1.
Action – the responsibility to asset ourselves and
act to ensure that we get a fair deal.
2.
Solidarity – the responsibility to organise together
as consumers to develop the strength and influence
to promote and protect our interests.
3.
Environmental Awareness – the responsibility to
understand the environmental consequences of our
consumption.
4.
Social Concern – the responsibility to be aware of
the impact our consumption on other citizens.
5.
Critical Awareness – the responsibility to be more
alert and question about the price and quality of
goods and services we use.
Consumer education / Public Awareness Raising –
entails education and
information dissemination on consumer rights and responsibilities
nationwide.
Complaints handling
– involves receiving, advising and arbitrating on
behalf of consumers on issues of unfair trade which includes the safety
of consumer products.
Lobbying and Advocacy
– making recommendations for amendments on
existing or proposed new legislation, which may be considered to affect
the consumer. Representing and or securing representation of
consumer interests at all levels on appropriate organizations locally and
internationally.
Research
– involves conducting investigations on issues that affect, and
are of interest to consumers, and publicizing for consumer information
and policymaking.
Complaints Handling
Consumer Education
Networking
Lobbying and Advocacy
Research
Current Activities:
Focus Desks
Participation at ZITF and Agricultural Shows
Consumer Action Clubs
Radio Programmes
Joint Consumer Education with ZERA, ZETDC, RBZ and
Nestle Zimbabwe
The UN Guidelines for consumer protection is
a declaration of best practices in consumer
protection law and policy.
The guidelines are not binding, but do
provide a set of basic consumer protection
objectives upon which governments have
agreed, thereby serving as a policy framework
for implementation at a national level.
Whilst directed primarily at governments,
some provisions of the Guidelines are also
directed at businesses.
The CPA is meant to:
Be as comprehensive as possible to ensure that
regulators, legislation and policy do not perennially
play catch up
Create a platform wherein business practices operate
from a standard in relation to consumer rights.
Be alive to the emerging markets and technologies
with the view of protecting the consumer.
Encourage competition, while simultaneously
discouraging market domination bordering on
monopolies.
Pay particular attention to the services sector,
ensuring that the sector adheres to consumer friendly
modes of operation.
17
The Consumer Protection Act is also meant to:
1)
Ensure that the consumer is aware of his/her
responsibilities. ..
2)
Mandate consumer education and this entails consumer
education [e.g. by the CCZ, SAZ, government
departments such as health, ICT e.t.c]
3)
Encourage the dissemination of information using
various platforms such as the electronic and print media,
leaflets and billboards as well as educational programs
in schools ...e.t.c]
4)
Facilitate frameworks for regional and international
cooperation in the area of consumer protection,
particularly in this era of regional integration and
globalisation.
5)
Ensure policies are in tandem with international trade
obligations.
Thank you, Tatenda,
Siyabonga
For further information visit our website and
Facebook page
Our Offices
35 Rhodesville Road, Eastlea Harare
Telfax: 263 4 498441
E-mail:
ccz2@mweb.co.zw
The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, founded in 1955, strives to advocate for consumer rights and promote fair trade practices. They work towards empowering consumers and ensuring their voices are heard in economic decisions. With a vision for fair deals and a mission for consumer protection, CCZ pushes for legislation like the Zimbabwe Consumer Protection Act. Embodying Kennedy's vision of consumer advocacy, CCZ upholds eight basic consumer rights and collaborates globally to strengthen consumer empowerment.
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Presentation Transcript
Presentation by Miss R. Siyachitema Executive Director of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe
The formation of the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe can be traced as far back as 1955 and was spurred by economic problems resulting from increased costs of living and violation of manufacturing standards. The formation was spearheaded by two prominent Women s organizations, which had active interest in consumer issues, and these were the National Women s Organizations (NWO) and the Federation of Women s Institutes (FWI). The then Salisbury consumer movement group was aimed at ensuring that consumers would not only get value for their money, but that primary producers and manufacturers produced items of high standards which could compete with imported processed foods and manufactured goods. It is against this background that the CCZ was born in the structure we know today on the 5thof December 1975, registered as a welfare organization in terms of subsection (5) of section 9 of the Welfare Organizations Act (Chapter 93) and its registration number is W.O. 9/85.
VISION VISION As Consumer Council of Zimbabwe we shall always strive for a fair deal for our consumers within the market place. MISSION MISSION Consumer Council of Zimbabwe strives to become a visible and highly effective consumer empowerment and protection organisation in the country that unconditionally upholds the interests of all its stakeholders through the establishment and management of effective networks with fellow consumer organisations worldwide, and through the management of a competent and well-motivated staff.
The CCZ has successfully clamoured for the enactment of legislation such as: Consumer Contract Act Competition Act Class Action Act Small Claims Court Act Patients Charter National Incomes and Pricing Commission Act (2007) Currently, CCZ is in the forefront of pushing for the Zimbabwe Consumer Protection Act.
Consumers by definition, include us all, Kennedy said in his congregational statement, they are the largest economic group affecting and affected by almost every public and private economic decision. Yet they are the only important group.....whose views are often not heard . Over time, the consumer movement has developed this vision into a set of eight basic consumer rights that now define and inspire much of the work CCZ do.
What we do What we do We work with our members and partners globally, to empower they are treated There are eight basic consumer rights which define and determine our principles. You can also read about our work to protect and empower consumers everywhere. With over 240 Member organisations in 120 countries, we are building a powerful international movement to help protect and empower consumers everywhere. Founded in 1960, we are fighting for a fair, safe and sustainable future for all consumers in a global marketplace increasingly dominated by international corporations. CI is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and registered in the UK (company no. 04337865). We are also a registered UK charity (no. 1122155). We work with our members and partners globally, to empower and champion the rights of consumers, and ensure they are treated safely, fairly and honestly. and champion the rights of consumers, and ensure safely, fairly and honestly.
World Consumer Rights Day is an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity within the international consumer movement. But more importantly it is a time for promoting the basic rights of all consumers, for demanding that those rights are respected and protected, and for protesting the market abuses and social injustices which undermine them. World Consumer Rights Day was first observed on March 15, 1983, and has since become an important occasion for mobilizing citizen action. Consumer organizations, such as Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ), around the world use materials produced by Consumers International (CI), which is the worldwide federation of consumer organizations, representing over 230 agencies in 113 countries. Consumer organizations generate local initiatives and media coverage for their work over the coming year. World Consumer Rights Day was established to promote the basic rights of consumers everywhere, on the 15thof March every year, the global consumer movement unites around a common theme to deliver exciting array of campaigning activities.
CCZ has celebrated WCRD since its inception and the following have been some of the themes: 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2003 Corporate control of the food chain: the GM link 2004 Consumers and Water 2005 Call for Action on GMOs 2006 Energy 2007 Unethical Drug Promotion 2008 Junk Food Generation 2009 Junk Food Generation 2010 Our Money, Our Rights 2011 Consumers for fair financial services 2012 Our Money, Our Rights (Campaigning for real choice in financial services) 2013 Consumer Justice Now 2014 Consumer Rights in the Digital Age 2015 Healthy Diets 2016 Antibiotic Resistance 2017 Building a Digital World Consumers can trust Corporate control of the food chain: the GM link Consumers and Water Call for Action on GMOs Energy Sustainable Access for All Unethical Drug Promotion Junk Food Generation Junk Food Generation Our Money, Our Rights Consumers for fair financial services Our Money, Our Rights (Campaigning for real choice in financial services) Consumer Justice Now Consumer Rights in the Digital Age - - Fix our phone rights Healthy Diets Antibiotic Resistance Building a Digital World Consumers can trust Sustainable Access for All Fix our phone rights
The Right to: 1. Basic needs to have access to basic necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, health and education. 2. Safety to be protected against hazardous products and services. 3. Be Informed to be fully informed about issues that affect consumers consumption patterns and protected against dishonest or misleading advertising and labelling. 4. Choose to be able to select from a wide range of products and services offered at competitive prices with assurance of satisfactory quality.
Be heard to have consumer interests represented in the making and execution of government policy and in the development of products and services. Redress to seek refunds for just claims, including compensation for misrepresentation, shoddy goods or unsatisfactory services. Consumer Education to be educated on products and services offered to him or her A healthy environment to be able to live in a healthy and non threatening environment. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Action the responsibility to asset ourselves and act to ensure that we get a fair deal. Solidarity the responsibility to organise together as consumers to develop the strength and influence to promote and protect our interests. Environmental Awareness the responsibility to understand the environmental consequences of our consumption. Social Concern the responsibility to be aware of the impact our consumption on other citizens. Critical Awareness the responsibility to be more alert and question about the price and quality of goods and services we use. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Consumer education / Public Awareness Raising information dissemination on consumer rights and responsibilities nationwide. Consumer education / Public Awareness Raising entails education and Complaints handling behalf of consumers on issues of unfair trade which includes the safety of consumer products. Complaints handling involves receiving, advising and arbitrating on Lobbying and Advocacy existing or proposed new legislation, which may be considered to affect the consumer. Representing and or securing representation of consumer interests at all levels on appropriate organizations locally and internationally. Lobbying and Advocacy making recommendations for amendments on Research are of interest to consumers, and publicizing for consumer information and policymaking. Research involves conducting investigations on issues that affect, and
Complaints Handling Consumer Education Networking Lobbying and Advocacy Research Current Activities: Focus Desks Participation at ZITF and Agricultural Shows Consumer Action Clubs Radio Programmes Joint Consumer Education with ZERA, ZETDC, RBZ and Nestle Zimbabwe Current Activities:
The UN Guidelines for consumer protection is a declaration of best practices in consumer protection law and policy. The guidelines are not binding, but do provide a set of basic consumer protection objectives upon which governments have agreed, thereby serving as a policy framework for implementation at a national level. Whilst directed primarily at governments, some provisions of the Guidelines are also directed at businesses.
The CPA is meant to: Be as comprehensive as possible to ensure that regulators, legislation and policy do not perennially play catch up Create a platform wherein business practices operate from a standard in relation to consumer rights. Be alive to the emerging markets and technologies with the view of protecting the consumer. Encourage competition, while simultaneously discouraging market domination bordering on monopolies. Pay particular attention to the services sector, ensuring that the sector adheres to consumer friendly modes of operation. 17
The Consumer Protection Act is also meant to: 1) Ensure that the consumer is aware of his/her responsibilities. .. 2) Mandate consumer education and this entails consumer education [e.g. by the CCZ, SAZ, government departments such as health, ICT e.t.c] 3) Encourage the dissemination of information using various platforms such as the electronic and print media, leaflets and billboards as well as educational programs in schools ...e.t.c] 4) Facilitate frameworks for regional and international cooperation in the area of consumer protection, particularly in this era of regional integration and globalisation. 5) Ensure policies are in tandem with international trade obligations.
Thank you, Tatenda, Siyabonga For further information visit our website and Facebook page For further information visit our website and Facebook page Our Offices Our Offices 35 Rhodesville Road, Eastlea Harare Telfax: 263 4 498441 E-mail: ccz2@mweb.co.zw
