(MENAFN - Jordan Times) The Consumer Protection Society (CPS) on Wednesday called on the government to enforce legislation empowering authorities to set the price of basic commodities.
The CPS urged authorities to invoke Article 7 of the Industry and Trade Law, which stipulates that "the Cabinet, upon a recommendation from the minister of industry and trade, shall determine the prices of any basic commodity".
Another section of the article authorises ministry inspectors to ensure goods and commodities are sold according to pre-determined prices.
CPS President Mohammed Obeidat said the ministry should set prices for basic commodities taking into account a moderate profit margin for both wholesalers and retailers.
"Such a move would contribute to mitigating the impacts of rising prices and inflation and contribute to raising people's standards of living," he told The Jordan Times over the phone on Wednesday.
The CPS president added that pricing certain essential items will help government efforts that aim at controlling prices.
Meanwhile, Obeidat said the CPS will today launch a nationwide campaign to boycott dairy products over what he described as high profit margins currently being enjoyed by yoghurt producers.
The campaign, which aims to enlighten Jordanians on proper ways to make yoghurt at home, will utilise the Internet by sending e-mails to 300,000 households explaining the campaign's objectives as well as urging the public to curb expenditures, Obeidat said.
"The boycott decision was taken by the CPS board after we calculated that the profit margin generated by wholesalers exceeds 70 per cent," he said, indicating that studies show that the actual market price of yoghurt should stand at JD0.75 per kilo, rather than the current price of JD1.15 per kilo.
He noted that the society will hold press conferences to explain the aim of the campaign, stressing that it seeks to protect consumers.
By Hani Hazaimeh
