Welcome again to Consumer Currents, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs' quarterly newspaper publication. In this issue, we shall be apprising you of the work done by the Ministry since our last publication. Learn more about some activities of our Research Unit - their involvement in Standing Committee Meetings, a project initiated by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, which seeks to put the problems of consumers directly to the retailers and manufacturers.

Read about our Consumer Outreach and Protection Unit, our education arm, which aims to make consumers more aware of their rights and responsibilities, as well as motivates them to from Consumer Groups. We have provided you with some consumer tips, forming consumer group sites. In fact, on July 22^nd a new consumer group will be launched - look out for the Consumer Protection Association Inc. We thank you for your support. Do enjoy.

Empowering the masses has been the goal of our Consumer Outreach and Protection unit here at he Ministry of Consumer Affairs. Within the last quarter, youths have been the focus of our education drive. We have visited youth groups, secondary and primary schools. In order for them to be the fundamental movers of change in this society, we have exposed them to programmes on their rights as consumers as well as their responsibilities. We have been encouraging them to take the bull by the horns and gain control of their destiny, by forming consumer youth groups.

Membership in these groups exposes them to skills such as planning, organization, taking the responsible road, team building and developing, negotiating, debating and speech delivery. It also gives them an official mouthpiece through which they can be heard, which is one of our fundamental rights as consumers.

By being a part of such a group, education becomes a primary goal and each person is encouraged and expected to keep up-to-date on consumer activities and issues, not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but also throughout the world. An active global consumer movement can be accessed on the Internet through the World Wide Web. The group can be as active as its leaders make it and as involved in as many developmental activities as they determine.

Community groups, interest groups and government organizations have also benefited from the outreach programmes. They too have been exposed to the fundamental principles of developing a consumer movement as well as the benefits of consumer groups and consumer education. Altogether over the last three months the COP unit has influenced the lives of more than 800 persons.

Another aspect of the Outreach programme is the Ministry's weekly appointment on Dateline, reaching homemakers, keeping them updated on consumer issues in Trinidad and Tobago and giving them tips on what they must to do maximize benefits from commercial exchanges.

The Unit also represented the Ministry at several conferences and collaborates with other governmental organizations and represents the interest of the Ministry at agencies such as the Environmental Management Agency.

People power is the ultimate goal of the COP Unit of the Ministry and we are always available to help consumers develop and benefit.

Ms. Deborah Gray and Mr. Roderick Trotman, two public servants from Guyana, visited Trinidad and Tobago from June 17-30, as guests of the Ministry of Public Administration.

On Tuesday June 23^rd, they visited the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, where they met with the Permanent Secretary, Ms. Yolande Gooding and Heads of Units.

The guests were accompanied by Ms. Ruth Coker and Ms. Sandra Jones of the Ministry of Public Administration.

The Guyanese visitors were seeking assistance in establishing excellent service delivery in the Guyana Public Service, and looked at customer services delivery, public service management and other procedures within the T&T Public Service.

As the main agency for consumer complaints nationally, the ministry of consumer Affairs is aware of the problems which consumers face daily. We do not deal with problems pertaining to food or pharmaceuticals but we can refer you to the relevant agencies. However, because of our proactive nature, the Ministry, in 1996, initiated a plan to put the consumer in contact, indirectly, with the manufacturers and other relevant agencies. Standing Committees were the result of this action, capably chaired by the Hon. Minister of Consumer Affairs.

One of the key goals of the Standing Committee is the identification of the issues which may affect consumers negatively and to anticipate problems and provide solutions and measures to pre-empt potential problems. The consumer is the primary beneficiary of this project.

The process is simple. Our Research Unit collates and analyses complaints received from our Consumer Liaison Unit to obtain information on the nature of the problems experienced by the consumers. Subsequently, officers of the Research unit plan the meetings on a quarterly basis with representatives from the relevant committees, agencies and companies to discuss, negotiate and find solutions to current issues and potential problems.

These committee meetings, which -to a large extent- foster the dissemination of information, ensure that members of the business community are kept up to date on consumer needs and problems. They also facilitate co-operation among industry players and help to identify and address critical issues that impact on the consumer.

This has been quite a successful venture to date, with accomplishments in every sphere. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has been the catalyst for bringing various associations together and through harmonious collaboration, has been able to enhance the quality of life of the consumer. Some achievements of these committees include

1. Continuous monitoring of the price of processed and live chickens, which has ensured reasonable prices for consumers.
2. Finalization of guidelines for the handling and presentation of meats, including poultry, for sale at supermarkets.
3. The classification of vitamin preparation was reverted to attract a duty of less than 10 percent as opposed to what was previously paid.
4. The introduction of a more consumer-friendly and informative bill of service by the Telecommunications Service of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT).
5. The dissemination of information on electrical safety practices to consumers.
6. Reduction in the prices of hops and sandwich loaves.
7. Increase in the wear and tear allowances depreciation from 10 percent to 25 percent allowed on bakery equipment.
8. A reduction in bank finance rates and charges.
9. The school-feeding programme also benefited by being able to source a more reliable supply of bread at reasonable prices.

While as a people we speak out on many issues including sports, politics and such like, somehow we seem reluctant to complain or seek redress if we find consumer items are high priced or if services are bad.

This is similar to the concept of Consumer Interest Groups that promote "people power" as a change agent for addressing issues that affect the consuming public.

Have you ever felt that you were powerless to change your life or that things were just out of control because you cannot make ends meet? Being part of a consumer group can boost your ability to lobby for better prices, services, conditions and many of the things which some of us face as challenges on a day to day basis.

You can get the power you need to be assertive by forming groups within your communities, places of work, and so on, in an effort to be heard where it counts.

You may be asking, "What is a Consumer Interest Group? " Well, this is a gathering of persons who meet on a regular basis to acquire information which will assist tem to face the challenges regarding consumer issues and concerns, as well as to solve problems which may be experienced from time to time.

This group can be an already active group like a PTA, Girl Guides, Mothers' Union, service club, community group or simply, a gathering of concerned citizens.

Consumer movements can be the difference between life and death in many cases. This movement has succeeded in several countries, like Africa, Asia and Malaysia. On examining the consumer movement in Senegal, you would appreciate the contribution it has made. We hope that this would encourage you to organize consumer groups here in Trinidad and Tobago.

In parts of Senegal, women were facing a chronic food crisis. Amadou Canoute, of Consumers International, states they were returning from market with empty baskets because money for shopping just was not enough. Traders had sent up the price of food or they would only sell oil if you bought other commodities like rice from them. They used all forms of profiteering.

In reaction, the women formed ASDEC, the Senegalese Consumer and Environmental Association. They created self-help groups to buy wholesale goods and redistribute them to members at more affordable prices. In doing so, they created jobs for themselves, their husbands and sometimes event he youth in the area. Another consequence was that the problem with the cheating traders disappeared.

Being a part of such a group will benefit members as immediately you acquire negotiating power, because you are now a "body" of people, rather than just an individual. This gives you a stronger hand at any bargaining table, whether it is for goods or services or a cleaner environment.

One of the things you can lobby for is value for money, as with strength in numbers, you maybe able to receive reduced or accurate prices for goods and seek redress for bad business practice.

Remember those shoes that blistered your feet so badly after you paid more than two hundred dollars for them? When you returned the shoes, the Store Manager said that you were the only person to complain about that particular style so that your feet were the problem and not the shoes. Result - No Refund - No Exchange.

As a group, you can write to the storeowner, visit him or her to discuss the problem, or use the media to alert others to the bad business practices carried out by the store.

You now have power, which if you use it wisely, can provide all the changes you need to maximize your dollars and better provide for your families.

If you require assistance or more information on the formation of Consumer Interest Groups, staff of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs' Consumer Outreach and Protection Unit will meet with interested persons to discuss and initiate the formation of such groups.

This Public Education Programme is available to everyone, and the service can be made available by calling the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to schedule a discussion.

Many major changes have been made internationally because consumers took control. Here in Trinidad and Tobago we need an active consumer movement to encourage people to think: "Yes! I am my brother's keeper, and I must protect him as well as my community."

A consumer movement is an essential part of our young nation, and this can be possible with the formation of Consumer Interest Groups.

Remember…the power is yours!