(MENAFN- The Peninsula)
The Peninsula
DOHA: The Ministry of Economy and Commerce registered 82 violations of the consumer protection law last month.
As part of ongoing inspection campaigns, inspectors conducted surprise raids on retail shops across the country and violators of the law faced administrative closure of the outlets and fines ranging between QR5,000 and QR3,000.
The campaigns have registered 20 types of violations, including raising prices without permission from the competent authority; selling expired products; missing descriptive labels on products; and lack of compliance with the prices.
Of the violations, 20 were related to missing descriptive labels on products; 12 related to selling expired products and eight related to selling Arabic bread below weight specifications.
The inspection campaigns aim at monitoring the local market and commercial activities to protect the rights of consumers and keep a vigil on suppliers"; compliance with Law No. 8 of 2008 on consumer protection. The law stipulates punishments, including administrative closure and fines ranging between QR3,000 and QR1m.
The ministry urged consumers to report any abuse or irregularities if they come across.
It receives complaints and suggestions through its call centre (16001); email – and social networking accounts, including Twitter and Instagram.