World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on March 15 every year.
Context
World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on March 15 every year.
About the day
- Consumer Rights Day is a global event to encourage people to be aware of their consumer rights and duties so that they can make informed decisions.
- It was Consumer International that started observing this day and still celebrates it every year.
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Consumer International is a global federation of consumer organizations that was founded in 1960 as an independent and influential voice of the consumers.
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History
- World Consumer Rights Day is inspired by President John F Kennedy’s special message to the US Congress that was delivered on 15th March 1962.
- He mentioned four important consumer rights in his speech to Congress:
- Right to safety
- Right to be informed
- Right to choose
- Right to be heard
- This day was first celebrated in the year 1983.
Theme
- Consumers International announced the theme for World Consumer Rights Day 2022 is "Fair Digital Finance".
- The global consumer advocacy movement will call for fair digital finance for consumers everywhere.
- Last year, the theme for World Consumer Rights Day was 'Tackling Plastic Pollution'.
- In 2020, the theme for World Consumer Rights Day was 'The Sustainable Consumer'.
Objectives
- It signifies solidarity in the international consumer movement, demanding that consumer rights are to be respected and protected.
- The event also gives a chance to protest against the market abuses and social injustices which undermine those rights.
Some rights of consumers
- Right to Safety: To be protected against the marketing of goods and services, which are hazardous to life and property. The purchased goods and services availed of should not only meet their immediate needs but also fulfil long term interests.
- Right to be Informed: Right to be informed about the quality, quantity, potency, purity, standard and price of goods so as to protect the consumer against unfair trade practices.
- Right to Choose: To be assured, wherever possible of access to a variety of goods and services at a competitive price. In the case of monopolies, it means the right to be assured of satisfactory quality and service at a fair price.
- Right to be Heard: Meaning that consumers’ interests will receive due consideration at appropriate forums. It also includes the right to be represented in various forums formed to consider the consumer’s welfare.
- Right to Seek redressal: To seek redressal against unfair trade practices or unscrupulous exploitation of consumers. It also includes the right to fair settlement of the genuine grievances of the consumer.
- Right to Consumer Education: To acquire the knowledge and skill to be an informed consumer throughout life. Ignorance of consumers, particularly of rural consumers, is the main cause behind their exploitation.
- Right to satisfaction of basic needs: To have access to basic, essential goods and services: adequate food, clothing, shelter, health care, education, public utilities, water and sanitation.
- Right to a healthy environment: To live and work in an environment that is non-threatening to the well-being of present and future generations.
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