Traders engaged in price gouging - Kumar

The Consumer Council of Fiji is deeply concerned that traders are engaged in price gouging to take advantage of Fijians receiving assistance under the Government’s Homes Care initiative.

The Homes Care initiative was rolled out by Government to aid Fijians who lost household items or whose homes were damaged or destroyed in cyclones Josie and Keni earlier this year.

Fijians who qualified for this assistance received cards loaded with up to $7,000 to purchase materials to repair their homes and replace possessions that were lost or badly damaged from assigned traders working with the initiative.

Consumer Council of Fiji’s CEO, Premila Kumar says the council is aware of cases where traders increased the prices of goods after the initiative was rolled out, to make money off the misery of Fijians.

The Council received 3 complaints on its Consumer Helpline number 155 from the Western Division.

One disappointed complainant found a Homes‑CARE initiative trader selling a 32inch television screen for $712 while the same product was available for $499 with a non Homes Care initiative trader.

Kumar says the Council is currently conducting price surveys and it will name traders involved in price gouging.