Qatar- MEC cracks down on price manipulation, consumer rights violations

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) An intensified monitoring and inspection campaign launched by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) in July yielded 128 violations from various retail outlets in Qatar, it was announced.

The move aims to ensure the compliance of suppliers (retail outlets) with Law No 8 of 2008 on consumer protection, the MEC said in a statement.
The inspection campaigns come within the framework of the ministry's efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities in a bid to crack down on price manipulation and to protect consumer rights, the statement said.
The campaign by the ministry's inspectors resulted in 128 fines. The violations included failing to comply with the price bulletin of fruit and vegetables, failing to issue invoices in Arabic, failing to display product data and descriptions, false or misleading product descriptions and advertising, missing price tags for products and services, selling expired products, and charging customers more than the advertised price.
The penalties resulted in administrative closures as well as fines ranging between QR5,000 and QR30,000, in line with the applicable consumer protection laws.
The MEC also processed 1,322 complaints and took the necessary measures to resolve them.
It stressed that it will not tolerate any violations of the Consumer Protection Law and its regulations, and will intensify its inspection campaigns to crackdown on violations. The ministry said it will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to competent authorities that will in turn take appropriate action against perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.
The MEC urged consumers to report violations or submit complaints and suggestions through the following channels: call centre, 16001; ; the MEC's Twitter (MEC_QATAR) and Instagram (MEC_QATAR) accounts; and mobile apps on iPhone and Android devices.

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