THE Consumer Council of Fiji received 4276 complaints in the 2021-2022 financial year that had a monetary value of $5.5million.
This is stated in the Consumer Council of Fiji’s annual report that was tabled in Parliament on Monday.
“The council received a total of 4276 complaints — an average of 356 complaints registered per month, an increase of 17 per cent compared to the previous financial year,” the report stated.
“The monetary value of these complaints was $5,540,716.30, noting an increase from the last financial year, which recorded $3,968,601.35 worth of complaints registered.
“The council successfully assisted 3553 consumers in seeking either repairs, replacement, or refund from traders.
“The resolution of these complaints meant putting back a total sum of $4,837,808.07 into Fijian consumers’ pockets which reflected an increase in the monetary value when compared to the last financial year that noted $2,991,385.61.”
The Consumer Council of Fiji conducted 179 mediations this financial year.
“The Consumer Council of Fiji employs mediation as part of the Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanism to quickly resolve consumer complaints.
“Not only does the council engage in face-to-face mediations, it also engages in tele-mediations/ skype calls/zoom sessions whereby parties who cannot physically commit to mediations are joined via phones/laptops to amicably resolve complaints,” the report stated.
