Skyrocketing prices of essential commodities are badly affecting the budgets of nationals and expatriates alike, resulting in calls for the intervention of the federal government to tackle the problem.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr. Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of Consumer Protection Department, Ministry of Economy, said, "Federal Law No 24 of 2006, ensures the protection of consumers' rights, so we want to address their rights properly in the purview of the law."
Al Nuaimi added, "For the purpose, we are going to launch an awareness campaign through media from March 1 till March 15 regarding their rights, health and protection which are covered in the law."
"We are also obtaining news from different media regarding malpractices in the market as shopkeepers charge consumers higher prices, which are not approved by the MoE. The ministry will deal with them stringently and take action accordingly," Al Nuaimi added.
"Around 85 per cent of commodities available in the market are imported from outside the country, we have to regularise the market thoroughly to check all kinds of malpractices in the market and keep a tab on those who indulge in price hikes without approval," he said.
Another grievance relates to people who run small restaurants and cafeterias as they have to buy the materials at higher prices but are unable to increase the prices of their products for the fear of losing customers.
A restaurant operator, Tayyab K.V. in Abu Dhabi, said, "Owing to the increase we are losing business and suffering losses. The most affected commodities are the cooking oil, pulses and refined wheat flour. A 20-litre tin of a popular brand of cooking oil was available at Dh47 in 2006. But now a 10-litre tin of the same oil brand is costing Dh47."
"Flour, which was sold earlier at Dh42 for 50kg, is now available at Dh74. In such a huge increase of prices in a short period it is difficult for us to cope with customers. We cannot increase the prices of edible products every month because we will lose our business if we do so," added Tayyab.
"Pulses (maash) weighing 20kg was priced at Dh40 around seven months ago but now it is at Dh95 for 17kg only. A carton of sandwich paper of 20 packets was priced at Dh140 a couple of weeks ago but now it is sold at Dh195," Tayyab said.
A resident, Syed Shahabuddin who works with the government sector in Abu Dhabi, said, "We feel that this matter can only be solved after the intervention of the government."
An Emirati woman, Hanjala from Abu Dhabi, said, "At any cost, we have to purchase essential commodities. The prices of everything have increased by 20-30 per cent in the past few months. The prices of some other food items have gone up by 50 per cent. We visit supermarkets and purchase commodities once in a week. I realise that we are spending Dh1,000 to Dh1,300 more every month."
Haris Abdullah from Fujairah, who works in the government sector in Al Bateen, said, "If government takes some steps it will be good for all. As it is we are overburdened with the rent hike, now we have to pay more for edible commodities, which is an extra burden."
An Indian, Najeeb Ali, said, "Due to increase in the essential commodities we switch to cheaper things because there is no option left for us. Our wages haven't increased, but prices have gone up tremendously. This increase is in a very short span of one year."
Another Indian who was shopping at Al Wahda Mall here, said, "It is obvious that everything has an upward trend but our salaries are also needed to be revised accordingly so that we can withstand the rising cost of living here." Source
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr. Hashim Al Nuaimi, Director of Consumer Protection Department, Ministry of Economy, said, "Federal Law No 24 of 2006, ensures the protection of consumers' rights, so we want to address their rights properly in the purview of the law."
Al Nuaimi added, "For the purpose, we are going to launch an awareness campaign through media from March 1 till March 15 regarding their rights, health and protection which are covered in the law."
"We are also obtaining news from different media regarding malpractices in the market as shopkeepers charge consumers higher prices, which are not approved by the MoE. The ministry will deal with them stringently and take action accordingly," Al Nuaimi added.
"Around 85 per cent of commodities available in the market are imported from outside the country, we have to regularise the market thoroughly to check all kinds of malpractices in the market and keep a tab on those who indulge in price hikes without approval," he said.
Another grievance relates to people who run small restaurants and cafeterias as they have to buy the materials at higher prices but are unable to increase the prices of their products for the fear of losing customers.
A restaurant operator, Tayyab K.V. in Abu Dhabi, said, "Owing to the increase we are losing business and suffering losses. The most affected commodities are the cooking oil, pulses and refined wheat flour. A 20-litre tin of a popular brand of cooking oil was available at Dh47 in 2006. But now a 10-litre tin of the same oil brand is costing Dh47."
"Flour, which was sold earlier at Dh42 for 50kg, is now available at Dh74. In such a huge increase of prices in a short period it is difficult for us to cope with customers. We cannot increase the prices of edible products every month because we will lose our business if we do so," added Tayyab.
"Pulses (maash) weighing 20kg was priced at Dh40 around seven months ago but now it is at Dh95 for 17kg only. A carton of sandwich paper of 20 packets was priced at Dh140 a couple of weeks ago but now it is sold at Dh195," Tayyab said.
A resident, Syed Shahabuddin who works with the government sector in Abu Dhabi, said, "We feel that this matter can only be solved after the intervention of the government."
An Emirati woman, Hanjala from Abu Dhabi, said, "At any cost, we have to purchase essential commodities. The prices of everything have increased by 20-30 per cent in the past few months. The prices of some other food items have gone up by 50 per cent. We visit supermarkets and purchase commodities once in a week. I realise that we are spending Dh1,000 to Dh1,300 more every month."
Haris Abdullah from Fujairah, who works in the government sector in Al Bateen, said, "If government takes some steps it will be good for all. As it is we are overburdened with the rent hike, now we have to pay more for edible commodities, which is an extra burden."
An Indian, Najeeb Ali, said, "Due to increase in the essential commodities we switch to cheaper things because there is no option left for us. Our wages haven't increased, but prices have gone up tremendously. This increase is in a very short span of one year."
Another Indian who was shopping at Al Wahda Mall here, said, "It is obvious that everything has an upward trend but our salaries are also needed to be revised accordingly so that we can withstand the rising cost of living here." Source
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