10 “serious” limitations of Dominican consumers, according to Fundecom

This March 15 was International Consumer Rights Day. To mark the occasion, the Foundation for Consumer Rights, FUNDECOM, and other organizations have listed 10 limitations that Dominicans face in services.

‘How is the situation of Dominican consumers?’ How is the situation of Dominican consumers?

In this decalogue of issues affecting citizens in their relationship with the market, consumers and organizations highlighted the most critical issues and challenges faced by consumers:

1) High cost of food and medicine

• An effective public policy is needed to counteract the high cost of living.
• Medicines for chronic diseases are not included in the Social Security catalogue, which implies a high expense to treat diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and some types of cancers.
• The currency’s depreciation directly affects the poorest since the rise in the dollar premium accelerates inflation. The current exchange rate is the highest on record, impacting the prices of goods and services without wages compensating for this increase.

2) Purchasing power and insufficient minimum wage

• According to ILO calculations, the minimum wage should be $815, but the one set by the National Wages Committee is only half that figure.
• The cost of the family basket exceeds 54,000 pesos, affecting all economic quintiles.
• The right to healthy food must be guaranteed for the entire population.

3) Blackouts and high billing in the electric service

• Blackouts have returned, affecting health, safety, and small businesses.
• The interruption of the cold chain puts the preservation of food and medicines at risk.
• The electricity bill continues to increase without improvements in the quality of service.

4) Deficiencies in telephone and internet services

• The providers deliberately deteriorate the service to force customers to pay for “improvements”.
• Mobile internet is unstable: calls drop and signal is lost on the street.
• INDOTEL must audit telephone companies to prevent abuses against consumers.
• In Europe, planned obsolescence is prohibited; A similar measure should be implemented here to avoid unnecessary expenses on electronic equipment.

5) Lack of a Nutritional Warning Front Labeling Law

• Consumers must know what is contained in the products they consume.
• Poor diet contributes to diseases such as anemia, tuberculosis, and other non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and certain types of cancers.

6) Shrinkflation: Less product, same price

• Although this problem has been reported for four years, the authorities have not taken action.
• In Europe and several US states, shrinkflation has been banned.
  o Example:
  o Before: Packages of cookies with 5-6 units → Now: 4 units, but at the same price.
  The same goes for toothpaste, napkins, soaps, and toilet paper.
• Shrinkflation is a form of hidden inflation that forces consumers to buy more to meet their needs.

7) Right to a healthy environment

• Lack of adequate sanitation and pollution of rivers and natural resources put public health at risk.
• Urgent sanitation and water management laws are needed, without conceding recourse to private companies.

The UN recognizes access to water as a fundamental human right, guaranteeing the exercise of other rights, such as food, health, and human dignity.
The lack of attention to the claims against the construction of the Cola dam in Pueblo Viejo, Cotuí, due to the damage it implies, in addition to the disappearance of rivers and streams in the area that it causes.
A social license must be obtained before authorizing the construction of the aforementioned tailing dam and dedicating part of the national territory to mining.

8)Suggested prices for essential products

• The depreciation of the Dominican peso has triggered inflation, and prices for rice, among other staples in the Dominican diet, have reached levels never seen before.
• Price controls in the market were removed, which has allowed for uncontrolled increases. However, the Law suggests frequent information on prices in the market, condemns speculation, and mandates the creation of technical tables to suggest prices in line with the reality of the market.
• The government is proposed to establish a list of suggested prices for basic foodstuffs such as rice, beans, chicken, eggs, milk, sugar, and drinking water.

9) Lack of access to quality health services

• Health is a fundamental right, but it is only accessible to those who can afford expensive health insurance.
• The majority of the population does not have access to decent medical services.

10) Right to transit and urban mobility

• Sidewalks are occupied by construction and businesses, forcing pedestrians to risk their lives on the streets.
• The public transport system is deficient, which has driven the massive purchase of vehicles and motorcycles, increasing traffic jams in the main cities.
• The lack of traffic regulations affects the quality of life of citizens.