…majority of the complaints filed against Fly Jamaica, auto industry

A TOTAL of 341 consumer-related complaints were resolved by the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) in 2019, amounting to a total value of $104.2M.
In a statement on Tuesday, CCAC said increasingly consumers’ are demanding redress and respect for their rights in accordance with the Consumer Affairs and Competition and Fair-Trade Acts.

It noted that during 2019, the commission received 586 consumer complaints which amounted to a total value of $165.847M. “This amount reflects a 103 per cent increase in the number of complaints and 81 per cent increase in the value of complaints when compared with the previous year 2018,” CCAC explained.

It was keen on pointing out that complaints against Fly Jamaica accounted for 206 of the 586 complaints. “Fly Jamaica has since filed for bankruptcy and the cases have been referred to their trustee to be added to their list of creditors. Complaints against Fly Jamaica therefore accounts for 85 per cent of the ongoing 242 complaints,” the commission explained.

Excluding figures from the Fly Jamaica cases, the Consumer Affairs Unit successfully resolved 341 or 90 per cent of the remaining 380 complaints valued at $104.265M. Three cases have been referred to the Commission’s Board for hearing.

It noted that the auto and airline industries dominated the list of complaints, whereas the auto industry accounted for the highest value of complaints, $75,794,605.
Meanwhile, of the businesses inspected by the CCAC for compliance with the Consumer Affairs Act in Regions Two, Three, Four, Seven and 10, 85 percent were non-compliant. According to the commission, the businesses claimed that they were unaware of the duties of the supplier under the Consumer Affairs Act. These businesses will be re-inspected in early 2020 to ensure they correct the contraventions.

Additionally, the CCAC presided over a price-fixing case against the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG), and fined SAG’s individual membership $3.843M each for breaches under the Competition and Fair-Trading Act. The Competition Policy Unit also conducted a study into the operations of the cost of the JFK, New York to Georgetown airline route. The report was completed and its findings were published late 2019.

The commission will also continue its efforts in 2020 to raise awareness for consumers and suppliers. The Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) was established in 2006 and became fully operational in 2010. The commission functions objectively in executing the laws governing two acts, namely the Competition and Fair- Trading Act N0. 11, 2006 (CFTA) and the Consumer Affairs Act N0. 13 2011 (CAA).