World Consumer Rights Day

Consumer rights are integral to human rights. Over the years, these rights have gained importance in safeguarding the interest of consumers from the clutches of business monopolies and trade malpractices. Protection of consumer rights is now a global agenda. Unfortunately, Bangladesh is struggling to fulfil the basic needs of its consumers.

World Consumer Rights Day is being observed today throughout the world including Bangladesh. The day is celebrated every year on March 15th to raise awareness about the importance of consumer rights and to promote consumer protection. The theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2023 is “Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transition.”

In the context of Bangladesh, World Consumer Rights Day is particularly relevant as it provides an opportunity to address the challenges faced by consumers in the country and advocate for their rights.

The day is celebrated with various events and programmes organised by different consumer rights organizations and the government. The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection has chalked out elaborate programmes, including seminars and conferences, to mark the day.

On the eve of the day, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages, greeting all consumers and wishing all success of the day’s programmes. Establishing consumers’ rights in the country, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated that attention should be paid to keeping the prices of products within the purchasing capacity of the consumers by maintaining the quality of products and the government will turn the country into a middle-income one and a developed one by 2021 and 2041 respectively.

A hotline service named ‘Vokta Batayan’ will be launched on the occasion of the day for the overall welfare of the consumers in the country.

In recent years, Bangladesh has seen a significant increase in consumerism, with a growing demand for products and services. However, consumers in Bangladesh still face many challenges, including misleading advertising, counterfeit products, and inadequate protection from unfair trade practices. Moreover, the lack of awareness among consumers about their rights and responsibilities exacerbates these challenges.

The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards digital platforms for commerce and communication, leading to a rise in online transactions. This has highlighted the need for stronger consumer protection measures in the digital space. Consumers in Bangladesh face a range of issues when shopping online, such as false advertising, counterfeit products, and fraudulent transactions.

Bangladesh has made progress in protecting consumer rights in recent years. The government has enacted laws such as the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009, which provides protection for consumers against unfair trade practices, product liability, and deceptive advertising. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, especially in the digital space.

One of the major challenges faced by consumers in Bangladesh is the prevalence of counterfeit products. Fake and substandard products are prevalent in many sectors, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and electronics. Consumers often have difficulty distinguishing between genuine and fake products, which can lead to health risks and financial losses. The government and other stakeholders must take immediate action to curb the production and sale of counterfeit products and ensure that consumers have access to safe and genuine products.

Another significant challenge faced by consumers in Bangladesh is misleading advertising. Companies often make false or exaggerated claims about their products, which can mislead consumers and lead to disappointment or even harm. The government and other stakeholders must ensure that advertising practices are regulated and monitored to protect consumers from misleading claims.