Traders will be taken to task if they are found engaging in price gouging - FCCC

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission says they remind traders that they will be taken to task accordingly if they are found engaging in price gouging.

CEO Joel Abraham says they urge traders to refrain from raising the price of goods, to unfairly take advantage of vulnerable Fijians during the current situation.

Abraham says instead of thinking of ways to profit from the situation, let’s work together and help one another get through this.

He further adds they are actively conducting market surveillance on essential items such as food and medicine, as well as monitoring the market situation in the Western Division.

Abraham states their role is to help ensure that all Fijians are able to access the products they need and they are urging traders to do their best in keeping products available for everyone.

Abraham says they are, and will be, working closely with importers, wholesalers and retailers to get products onto shelves as quickly as they can to meet demands in the containment area, if there is any disruption in the supply chain of essential items.

He also says at the present time, the vast majority of products have not been affected and that supermarkets and pharmacies are not seeing shortages as yet.

Abraham further says to ensure that Fijians have access to essential items, particularly in the containment area, they have introduced some common-sense limits to essential products and if shortages are noted, other limits may be put in place on other products.