Know your rights, UAE shoppers urged amid awareness drive

A dedicated call centre is part of the month-long consumer campaign to help shoppers know their rights and obligations.

The UAE is launching a month-long campaign to help shoppers understand their rights and obligations. Silvia Razgova / The National

ABU DHABI // Shoppers are being encouraged to find out more about their rights as part of a nationwide campaign this month.

The 8th GCC Consumer Protection Week was launched in the capital yesterday by the Ministry of Economy.

“The main objective of this campaign is focusing on the consumers, enhancing his awareness about his rights and his duties,” said Dr Hashim Al Nuaimi, director of the consumer protection department, on the sidelines of the event at the Millennium Hotel Abu Dhabi.

“This is being implemented in all the GCC region at the same time.”

Dr Al Nuaimi said a survey conducted by the ministry last year found 45 per cent of the country’s population were aware of their rights. Another objective for the ministry is to increase this rate.

The campaign, which has the slogan “Rationalising Consumption is our Objective”, will run until the end of the month.

Awareness sessions will be held in schools and government departments, and brochures will be handed out across the country.

“There are no major problems for consumers but we have a dedicated call centre working from 7.30 in the morning until 10.30 in the evening, seven days a week,” said Dr Al Nuaimi who urged people who have an issue to call 600 522 225.

The ministry is working with retailers and other government bodies on the campaign. In May 2011, the ministry announced plans to cap or reduce the prices of 400 food items.

It switched on an electronic checking system later that year which monitors commodity prices daily in collaboration with co-operative societies and major retail outlets.

The system lets officials see any supply shortage, how much has been imported and for what price food items are being sold.