Do you think authorities should name companies that are caught selling sub-standard or expired products?

Suad al Mahruqi, Private sector employee
Authorities should name companies that are caught selling sub-standard and expired products as the public has the right to know about an organisation that has compromised on public health and safety.

Ibrahim al Sinani, Government employee
Only the court is authorised to make names of offenders public. It should do so only after passing the judgement in the case. Disclosing names of such offenders is important as the public needs to know about the organisation or the brand that has breached its trust.

Mohammed al Eamiri, Government employee
A company cannot be blamed if its employees are at fault. In such cases, the court should not reveal the name of the organisation as this can tarnish its image.

Said al Aasri, Businessman
It is important that authorities reveal names of companies that violate rules so that the public is cautious.

Khawla al Kandi, Government employee
I have seen that most of the offenders are expatriates working with restaurants and cafes. Authorities should disclose names of the organisations as well that are engaging in illegal activities. This will create a sense of fear among traders who stock products of such companies.

Massoud al Tobi, Government employee
Many people have been arrested recently on charges of selling or storing food items in unhygienic conditions. Disclosing names of violators in such cases will deter others from committing such offences. By naming the companies, the court will be setting a precedent.

_____

Are you satisfied with the role played by the consumer protection body in checking price rise and sale of fake goods?

Gitanjali, Homemaker
In Oman, most products, especially essentials, are available at subsidised rates. It is heartening to see many news reports about fake goods being confiscated by the consumer protection authority from different areas. This shows the authority's keenness in protecting the interests of consumers.

Abdul Quddus, Private sector employee
The Public Authority for Consumer Protection is doing its job well. This is evident from the news reports regarding confiscation of fake goods. The authority has a section in its office where the public can learn to identify fake goods. The prices of food products in the sultanate are also monitored and companies cannot raise the prices as per their will.

Nawaaz, Private sector employee
The Public Authority for Consumer Protection is quite active in regulating the market in terms of prices and fake goods. It should regularly monitor restaurants as well. Some years back, I had read a report about authorities taking samples from a restaurant that claimed to serve hammour fish. The authority wanted to check if it was actually hammour that was being served. I do not know what was the outcome. I feel there is no follow-up of cases.

Faheem, Private sector employee
The authority is doing its best to prevent malpractices in the market. The best way to prevent any irregularity is by conducting regular public awareness programmes.

Siddharth, Private sector employee
I fail to understand why different supermarkets have different prices for the same product. Although this price difference is not very huge, the authority should take note of it. However, it is doing a great job in bringing to book those traders who are compromising on public health and safety. Recently, it seized several tonnes of rotten rice from a warehouse.

Mahmoud Juma al Obeidani, Government sector employee
I check before I purchase a product from a supermarket or order from a restaurant. However, I am not always sure about the quality. Oman's consumer protection authority is doing its job well, but needs to be more aggressive in its awareness campaigns.

____

How do you think the public can help the consumer protection body? Have you ever informed it about any malpractice?

Mohsina Shah, Consultant
Members of the public can help the consumer protection authority by exerting consumer rights and reporting any malpractice. I've had a few bad experiences regarding services by certain companies. The grievance was addressed after I took up the matter with the management of these firms.

Jahanzaib Khan, Private sector employee
People should register complaints with the consumer protection authority if dissatisfied or have been cheated by any company or brand. I have not called the authority to register any complaints so far.

Priyanka Sampath, Private sector employee
Consumers should be aware of their rights and can help the authority by bringing to its notice any grievance or malpractice in the market. This will also benefit other consumers. I have never informed the authority of any malpractice.

Ahmed Khan, Engineer
It is important that the public exercises its rights by reporting any malpractice to the authority. Although I have never reported any incident, the authority had once helped me resolve an issue.

Lizbeth Love, Nurse
The consumer protection authority can function well only if the public is aware of its rights and duties. I have never registered a complaint, but my friends have, and they were quite happy with the outcome.

Sagar Subiah, Insurance executive
The consumer protection authority can work efficiently only with the cooperation of informed members of the public. I have not registered any complaints so far, but I have come across cases wherein the authority has taken strict action against businesses found cheating people.