WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY
World Consumer Rights Day is an annual occasion for celebration and solidarity within the International Consumer Movement. More importantly, it is a time for promoting the basic rights of consumers, for demanding that those rights be respected and protected, and for protesting the market abuses and social injustices which undermine them.
Monday, March 15, 2010 was designated World Consumer Rights Day. The theme for World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2010 is ‘Our money, our rights’ and the focus this year is placed on highlighting consumer issues in relation to financial services.
As a result, Consumer International (CI) intends to work with its members to build an international picture of the experiences of consumer organisations and consumers in this area, and will facilitate the exchange of information and experiences between its members as part of observances of WCRD 2010.
Below are excerpts from the message of Joost Martens, Director General of Consumers International.
Consumer organisations all over the world are working tirelessly to bring reliable financial services (FS) to consumers. This sector has been bedeviled by myths in the past. Some commentators have placed the blame for the global financial crisis squarely at the feet of consumers, citing imprudence and irresponsible borrowing or ignorance. Post-crisis, consumers have been criticised for excessive prudence and not spending enough to kick-start economies, when in fact, a very different picture is emerging from the work done by the member organisations of Consumers International (CI).
Consumers around the world face a range of problems in their dealings with FS providers, from irresponsible lending practices to unfair contracts, abusive charges and advice by salespeople lacking in objectivity. Despite this, most consumers manage their affairs responsibly; indeed in many poor countries savings ratios are higher than those in much richer countries.
But while the picture widely portrayed is one of consumer excess, the reality is that many consumers have no access to FS at all. The broad picture revealed by the work of CI members is that in developing countries the issue is basic access, while in rich countries consumers suffer from a lack of impartial advice amidst a plethora of options.
The results of a CI member survey are a tribute to the efforts of the consumer movement and the sheer variety of activities is hugely impressive. The involvement of CI members in efforts towards reforming this vital, yet under-performing sector, gives advocates of consumer rights more optimism.

Consumers and financial services
The Financial Services sector is lagging behind many other industries, both in terms of customer care and basic access. For example, there will soon be 1.7 billion people in the world with mobile phones but no bank account.
CI carried out a survey of member activities during August and September 2009 in preparation for World Consumer Rights Day (WCRD) 2010. The results, summarised here, reveal a wide spectrum of experience, encompassing ‘traditional’ activities such as consumer education, comparative information and advice, as well as high level representation vis-à-vis regulators and service providers, legal actions and the development of new forums for service providers to face their customers.
Finally, as the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) joins with all Consumer Organisations and Consumers in Guyana to celebrate another World Consumer Rights Day, it is important that we all recognize our roles, responsibilities and rights as we strive to ensure that throughout the year, quality goods and services are provided.
For further information please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 219-0065, 2190062 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org