Latest news with #ConsumerCouncilofFiji
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: Concerns Over Suspected Price Manipulation Ahead Of VAT Reduction
26 July As Fijians anticipate relief from the upcoming VAT reduction, slated to drop from 15% to 12.5% on 1 August 2025 - discovery of unjustified price increases by some eateries have sparked serious concern. The Consumer Council of Fiji has uncovered evidence suggesting businesses are pre-emptively raising prices to offset the tax cut, effectively depriving consumers of the intended financial benefits. Through 530 market surveillances conducted before and after the National Budget announcement, the Council identified a troubling trend: certain food establishments have deliberately inflated prices in recent weeks leading up to the VAT reduction, in order to negate effectivelythe intended consumer benefit. 'This is a strategic manipulation of pricing,' said Seema Shandil, CEO of the Consumer Council of Fiji. 'By raising prices now, these eateries can later claim to have passed on savings while keeping actual costs the same or even higher, undermining the intended financial relief for consumers. This behaviour is not only unethical but directly sabotages the government's policy intent to alleviate the cost-of-living burden for ordinary Fijians'. Notable examples include a fast-food outlet's curry meal rising from $2 to $3, a Suva restaurant's two-person meal increasing from $49.95 to $54, and menu hikes at multiple food courts. A prominent restaurant chain also raised its king-sized pizza price to $56.30, while a major supermarket's chicken pie now costs $9.95 up from $7.95. The Council urges transparency and accountability to ensure the VAT reduction delivers its promised advantages to the public. 'We are extremely concerned that such behaviour not only rips off consumers but also erodes public trust in the fairness of the market. The VAT reduction has been announced to provide financial relief to Fijians, not to pad the margins of restaurants and eateries,' Ms. Shandil said. The Council notes that food establishments are often harder to monitor due to variable pricing and the ease with which cost justifications, such as ingredient or labor costs, can be used to mask unjustified increases. When traders manipulate prices to suit their own interests, especially under the guise of 'justified' cost increases, it sends a clear message that consumer welfare is secondary. This erosion of trust damages the relationship between businesses and the public, and if left unchecked, can weaken confidence in the broader market system. The Council firmly believes that ethical conduct and transparency must be upheld, particularly during times when government initiatives are aimed at easing the cost-of-living burden for ordinary Fijians. The Council is urging all traders and businesses to act responsibly and ensure that the benefits of the upcoming VAT reduction are fully passed on to consumers. This is not just a matter of regulatory compliance, it reflects their broader duty of care and ethical responsibility to the public. As essential players in the economy, businesses must align their pricing practices with the government's objective of easing the cost of living for all Fijians. Absorbing the VAT cut for profit undermines consumer trust and defeats the purpose of a policy designed to provide financial relief. Consumers are the backbone of every business, and treating them fairly through transparent and ethical pricing is vital, not only for maintaining customer loyalty and brand integrity, but also for upholding the principles of a just and fair marketplace. Consumers are also encouraged to retain receipts and, where possible, compare past and present prices of the same item or meal. If a price increase is suspected, consumers should keep both the old and new receipts or take photos showing the change and report the matter to the Consumer Council of Fiji by calling toll-free 155 or emailing complaints@
Scoop
6 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Consumer Watchdog Warns Fijians About Auckland-Based Tiktokker's Money-Making Scheme
Fiji's consumer watchdog is warning Fijians to stay away from a TikTok "business opportunity" run out of Auckland. The Consumer Council of Fiji (CCF) issued a warning on 11 July about a series of viral TikToks that encourage viewers to pay upfront "joining fees" with promises of instant earnings. The TikToker has amassed tens of thousands of views on videos promoting "LiveGood", a multi-level marketing (MLM) company based in Florida that sells nutrition supplements. "An individual named Ricky Nair LG, reportedly based in New Zealand, is actively promoting this scheme in Fiji. It promises high returns through 'matrix spillover' and encourages people to pay a US$49.95 joining fee and a monthly US$9.95 subscription." "It resembles a pyramid scheme, where earnings are based solely on recruiting others. It promises unrealistic weekly payments of up to $1000 for simply signing others up." Council CEO Seema Shandil told RNZ Pacific that they want to prevent Fijians from falling for online scams before too much money is lost. "We are trying to raise [awareness]...we have experienced it, and we know that eventually this is going to fall apart and people are going to lose heaps." LiveGood's MLM structure involves sellers who improve their ranking by selling products, getting customers to pay for a US$9.95 a month membership, and by recruiting, or "sponsoring", more sellers. The sellers earn a 2.5 percent commission on products sold, passing the rest of their revenue up to their sponsor, who would in turn pay a share up to theirs, and so on. In his videos, Nair often refers to "matrix spillover" as a means of earning income through Livegood. The "matrix" refers to a hierarchical structure of sellers, with their sponsors above them. Members may then recruit their own, or on their downline, that they did not personally recruit. Thus, the top seller is generating income without having to do anything. "How many he has recruited, I don't know, but he's using all these techniques to lure the vulnerable," Shandil said. While there are sellers based in New Zealand, it is unclear how popular LiveGood is among Kiwis. Shandil said that the fact NZ-based sellers are appealing to Fijians is a major red flag. "They are people sitting in New Zealand, and they are aggressively marketing it to the people of Fiji. So why do you think that doing that?" Consumer watchdog 'hasn't got a clue' - TikTokker When RNZ Pacific contacted Nair, he denied any wrongdoing. "The Consumer Council [of Fiji] hasn't got a clue," he said. Nair said that there are "heaps" of sellers in New Zealand, most using TikTok and Facebook to sell worldwide. "I'm just sending the referrals. If they want, they join. If they don't want, they don't join." He said that he receives a commission for every member that he refers, and that he has 47 members in his downline, with 21 from Fiji. He said he does not profit from their sales. But Nair has publicly boasted his "Gold ranking", which, according to LiveGood rules means he has at least 100 people, and at most 499 people, below him on his "enroller tree". Despite posting that new members could make "$1000 a week" if they sign up under him, Nair said they have to work for it by recruiting new members themselves. "Everybody are doing their own way of marketing, right? I'm just posting that. But if people gonna contact me, then I gonna explain them how it gonna work (sic)." According to Scam Detector, the TikTokker's storefront website has a score of 45.8/100, meaning it has a low-to-medium trust score, and is likely a scam. "This website has a pretty low score, which means caution is advised," it states. Proceed with caution - Commerce Commission The New Zealand Commerce Commission says that it is aware of LiveGood's presence in New Zealand, and they are keeping a close watch. The Commission's general manager of competition, fair trading and credit Vanessa Horne said it received two enquiries about the multi-level marketer (MLM) in 2023. "While MLMs are not prohibited under the Fair Trading Act, businesses and individuals operating MLMs could still breach the Act if they make misleading or false claims about either the benefits of signing up to the MLM scheme and/or the goods or services the MLM sells." Horne said that an essential element of a pyramid scheme is that the return depends on the continued recruitment of new members, not product sales. Another is that they offer financial return based on recruitment fees. "Some promoters of pyramid schemes do try and make their schemes sound lawful. Consumers should be careful to ensure that a scheme is genuinely a multi-level marketing scheme, and not an illegal pyramid selling scheme before becoming involved with it." "The Commission encourages anyone who believes a business has breached the Fair Trading Act or one of the other laws we enforce, to report it, using the 'report a concern' form on our website."
Scoop
28-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: 2025/2026 National Budget—A Socially Responsive Budget
27 June The Consumer Council of Fiji welcomes the 2025/2026 National Budget as a timely and decisive response to the financial strain felt by thousands of consumers across the country. This morning's Budget announcement can be seen delivering a meaningful relief through targeted measures that address the persistent cost-of-living pressures affecting households nationwide. A major highlight of today's announcement is the reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 15% to 12.5%—a move set to ease financial pressures across the economy. This cut is expected to lower prices on essential goods and services, providing much-needed relief to households struggling with rising costs. The Council has long championed a fairer, consumer-focused tax regime, and this reform marks a positive shift toward alleviating the cost-of-living crisis. Consumer Council CEO Seema Shandil described the VAT reduction as both bold and necessary. 'This VAT reduction is a bold and welcome move,' she said. 'But now, the real work begins. For a long time, when VAT was increased, retailers were quick to pass on the added cost to consumers. Yet, when taxes are reduced, those savings are not always reflected on the shelves, instead, they're often absorbed as extra profit.' To address this issue and safeguard consumer interests, the Government has announced the establishment of a National Price Monitoring Taskforce. This initiative will bring together key enforcement agencies including the Consumer Council of Fiji, the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC), and the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS). The taskforce will be responsible for ensuring that the tax and duty reductions are properly implemented by retailers and that consumers see the benefits of these changes in real terms. Ms. Shandil affirmed the Council's commitment to this effort, stating, 'We will be working shoulder-to-shoulder with our counterparts at FCCC, FRCS, and the Ministry to strictly monitor retail pricing. This is not a time for complacency. The Fijian people deserve to feel the full benefit of these decisions, and we will ensure that happens.' The Budget also includes significant reductions in import duties for a range of essential food items. Chicken portions and offals such as giblets and liver will now attract a reduced duty of 15 percent, down from 32 percent. Duty on fresh fruits and vegetables — including tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, eggplant, pumpkin, bananas, avocados, mandarins, watermelons and pawpaw remains at five percent. Other fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, grapes, mushrooms, celery, broccoli, and nuts will also remain duty free. Potatoes, garlic, onion, tea, and cooking oil will continue to be duty-free as well. Meanwhile, frozen fish, including salmon, and canned fish products will also see duty eliminated entirely. Ms. Shandil emphasized that these reductions have the potential to significantly improve household nutrition and food affordability. 'These are real changes with the potential to impact the nutritional security of families. With key staples now cheaper to import, we expect retailers to bring down prices accordingly, and we will be watching closely.' In addition to food and tax relief measures, the Budget also includes targeted support in other areas that directly affect consumers. A ten percent bus fare subsidy can also be seen to help ease the financial burden on daily commuters and support lower-income earners who rely heavily on public transportation. This subsidy acts like a small "pay raise" by reducing their cost of living. A 10% reduction directly cuts daily transport costs, leaving more money for other expenses. Furthermore, a VAT refund scheme has been announced for residential construction projects valued up to $120,000. This measure is expected to reduce construction costs and encourage more families to invest in building or upgrading their homes. The newly implemented progressive measures, designed to support vulnerable populations and foster healthier living, represent a positive step forward. A 5% monthly increase for social welfare recipients and government pensioners will enhance financial resilience amid rising living costs. Simultaneously, the elimination of the 15% duty on no-sugar-added juices makes nutritious beverages more affordable, encouraging healthier consumption habits. Conversely, the new 15% duty on unhealthy processed snacks like puffed chips serves as a deterrent against excessive consumption of these foods. Together, these policies demonstrate a balanced approach to economic relief and public health improvement, helping build a more secure and health-conscious society. Whilst the Consumer Council reiterates its support for the budget's direction but stresses that the implementation phase will be critical, retailers are urged to pass on every cent of the savings to their customers. The Council will not hesitate to take action against non-compliance. Consumers are also encouraged to remain vigilant and report any instances where price reductions are not being honoured after the measures take effect. Complaints can be made through the Council's toll-free helpline 155 or via its email platform complaints@
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Fiji: Unfair Rental Car Practices Still Prevalent
Serious complaints against rogue rental car companies have prompted a renewed warning to the public, as the Consumer Council of Fiji expresses alarm over increasingly aggressive and unethical behaviour by operators. Since 2020, the Council has received 163 complaints relating to rental car services, with a combined monetary value of over $97,000. However, the recent nature of complaints has grown more troubling, prompting the Council to once again warn consumers. A key concern is the delay of refunds and the exploitation of consumer trust. Many operators are refusing to return bonds on time, instead withholding them indefinitely under the pretext of waiting for traffic fines, leaving consumers financially stranded for months. What's equally concerning is the way consumers are treated when they raise concerns. Reports describe rental company staff who are evasive, verbally abusive, and entirely dismissive of complaints. Communication often breaks down once payment is made, and some consumers have even been blocked from contacting the operator altogether. This is not just bad service, it is deliberate mistreatment. Another recurring issue is the refusal by some operators to issue receipts or written agreements. Without documentation, consumers are left vulnerable, unable to prove terms or challenge unexpected deductions. These shady practices go hand-in-hand with a wider lack of accountability in how vehicles are maintained. In one recent case, a consumer hired a vehicle that broke down the very next day. The company told him to carry out repairs at his own expense with a vague promise of reimbursement. Despite following through and providing receipts, he has yet to be compensated. Scams are also proliferating, with some unregistered operators luring victims via social media or informal platforms, often with no physical office or point of contact. These scams have led to financial losses and have left some consumers without a vehicle despite paying upfront. Most of the complaints received so far have come from Fijian consumers, raising legitimate fears about what could be happening to tourists who may not know where to turn for help. Council CEO Seema Shandil said the behaviour of some rental car operators is not only unethical but reflects a growing culture of consumer exploitation. 'It is unacceptable that consumers are being treated in such a disgraceful manner, from being ignored and harassed to being denied refunds or made to pay for repairs on poorly maintained vehicles. These operators are taking advantage of weak enforcement and a lack of consumer awareness, and it must stop.' She added that the Council will continue its collaboration to ensure fairness in the industry. 'Together with the LTA and the Fiji Rental Car Association, we will continue to take strong action against those who repeatedly flout consumer protection laws. The time for leniency is over, these practices are harming livelihoods, damaging trust, and risking the safety of consumers.' Consumers are strongly advised to be cautious when hiring vehicles, to insist on proper documentation, avoid informal cash transactions, and verify that the business is licensed. Anyone who has fallen victim to unethical rental practices should contact the Consumer Council by calling the toll-free number 155 or by emailing Complaints@
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Consumer Council Of Fiji Launches Label Logic Report Urging Stronger Labelling Standards For Healthier Consumer Choices
Press Release – Consumer Council of Fiji The Label Logic report, which draws from a wide-ranging study including policy reviews, consumer surveys, and industry interviews, exposes the significant barriers Fijians face when trying to make informed food choices. The Consumer Council of Fiji today officially launched its much-anticipated research report titled 'Label Logic: How Effective Labelling Policies Can Influence Better Consumer Choices in Fiji' at the Southern Cross Hotel in Suva. The event, developed in partnership with the Anne Fransen Fund and Consumers International, was officiated by the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica. It brought together key stakeholders from across the public and private sectors—including government ministries, food industry representatives, health professionals, development partners, civil society organisations, and members of the media—for a robust dialogue on improving food labelling standards in Fiji. In her opening remarks, Consumer Council CEO Ms. Seema Shandil emphasised that labelling is not a niche issue but a matter of public health and consumer rights. 'A label should be a tool for empowerment—not confusion. Our findings reveal that even educated consumers struggle to make sense of food labels, while those in rural or disadvantaged communities are often left completely in the dark,' she stated. 'This report is not just timely—it is essential.' The Label Logic report, which draws from a wide-ranging study including policy reviews, consumer surveys, and industry interviews, exposes the significant barriers Fijians face when trying to make informed food choices. The report finds that many labels use technical or misleading terms, are difficult to read, and often lack critical information—ultimately failing to serve their intended purpose. In launching the report, Hon. Kamikamica emphasised the Government's support for consumer rights and health protection. 'This report provides a blueprint for reform which is grounded in global best practice, backed by evidence, and shaped by the lived realities of Fijian consumers. It calls for front-of-pack warning labels. Standardised nutritional tables,' he said. 'And to those who argue that change is expensive, I say this: The cost of reform pales in comparison to the cost of inaction, measured in amputations, in dialysis, in lost productivity, and in preventable deaths.' Among its key recommendations, the report calls for the adoption of front-of-pack warning labels, standardised nutrition panels, stricter oversight on marketing claims, and public education to improve food label literacy. These reforms aim to make food labels easier to understand, more transparent, and useful to all Fijians. The Council also announced that the report will serve as the foundation for a nationwide consumer awareness campaign aimed at improving understanding of food labels and encouraging healthier food choices. 'This is not about punishing businesses,' Ms. Shandil added. 'It is about lifting standards—so that every Fijian, no matter where they live or what they earn, has access to clear, honest information about the food they consume.' The Consumer Council of Fiji thanks all stakeholders and partners who contributed to the successful launch of the report and calls on the public to support this movement for stronger, fairer, and more transparent food labelling practices.
