 The world has changed. There is a global crisis. The prices of goods and services is rising. Consumers in all sectors are being affected. Consumer groups are challenged, maybe now more than ever, in protecting the rights of consumers and advocating for the interests. In studio with me is Mr. Yuba James, Interim President of the National Consumers Association. He was a co-founder. Mr. James, good day. Good afternoon. You've heard the issue. Mr. James now will provide us with the answers. My name is Marvin St. Louis. Good day to you all. Mr. James, earlier you told me men should not sit for too long. I do not intend to keep your hair for too long. Tell us a little about yourself in terms of the National Consumers Association, your consumer advocacy. For me it has been, from since 2019 I joined the Consumer Affairs Department and I was exposed to the world of consumer advocacy. Consumer education is a big thing for me. Tell us about your background. When the idea came about to form the National Consumer Association, it came from Philip McLaren, who was the director of Consumer Affairs at that time. And there was a call for the region to come together and to begin to look at ways and means to set up NGOs to assist the government and to defend the rights of the people, because they were of the opinion that a lot of the private sector were taking advantage on the consumers. And as a result they felt that there should have been an organization who would defend the rights and defend the cause of the people and champion the cause. So the call came with Philip, Andrew and Toa and myself and a few others. We came in and we began to look at the mechanism, how to do things to look at the constitution of the NCA, look at the start drafting consumer bills because it was only the Price Control Act and good services that were there at the time. So we didn't have much teeth to fight the cause of the people. Very fortunately now we have the Consumer Protection Act, which gives us a wider band of the responsibilities and the area we can move into. And that has helped us to understand, to communicate with the private sector. We have had some very good relationships with some of them. Some of them are as usual, we expect that to happen because they want to make their profit and try to hold them back. So as a result you go to get a little resistance. But generally I find the environment is conducive and then we continue to push forward to ensure that the consumers are giving the right dues, the right value for the money. And also that the first question you ask, this global pandemic that has taken us through these high prices of things. I mean when you look at even, it's affected everybody everywhere. Even you and I, because those of us who are vehicles, a gallon of gas, almost $18. So that is a lot of money you have to pay for gas. So everybody are being affected by these high prices of things, because of the global war with Ukraine and Russia and causing the price of things to go up. And in discussion with the private sector, because I've got this market pretty often and I watch at the prices of goods. And I say, even I went to one of the stores, a little packet of cow foot which you'd get for $35, $89. I said, what caused that? Never the world shipmen is a cause of shipping and all sorts of quits in the price of the thing. So everybody being affected by the high prices because of this global war that's going on right now causing us not to be able to expand because the higher the price goes, the less disposable income you have. So if we're going to buy less goods or don't buy certain goods at all, because you can't afford it. And that is reflecting more, not of those affordables, but those little people who work in small stores and these things who barely get a little $400 a month for their wages or even to another fortnight. So it is very hard on those persons. So therefore, we have to continue to advocate, to begin to speak. And then somebody said, you know how hard it is for us to try to control this price, keep these prices down. If we have to apply the exact price we pay into ship those goods, we'll not be able to eat. So therefore, I know the government is trying the best to see how they can chip in to give concession their concession there. But still have to make that of a much great dent that people can see the value of their wages to be able to buy more goods from stores. You mentioned consumer, the importance of having consumer groups to advocate champion the rights of consumers. One other consumer group that works very closely with the NCA is the Consumer Affairs Department. Could you differentiate the work of the Consumer Affairs Department and the NCA? I think it's important because most persons think it's maybe one entity. Could you elaborate on that? No, the Consumer Affairs Department, they have certain responsibility like to import sugar, rice, flour, which is the thing that the government subsidized to the needy people, but everybody enjoyed it. The NCA is to defend the rights of the people against their merchants, against those persons who are offering goods and services. So the government cannot get involved in that because of the nature of government. But NCA has the latitude to, as an NGO, to defend the rights of anybody, even the ministers themselves. We can defend their own rights if they come to us. So the difference between the two organizations, there are things we can see to the private sector. The government can't see, but the NCA government. But we cannot pass laws. We cannot pass the amendment. We can only advocate for that thing to happen. To push until the government, look, this is wrong. This is, of course, the problem. We give the rational why we're asking for it to be done. And in the government, we'll do as necessary to mix it in. That's why we had the Consumer Protection Act, which was passed. I mean, we said that thing since 2019, and it's only 2016. It was tabled into parliament in 2016, early 2016. And it was passed in 2022. So that's why we have now, we have the law in our hands now. We have the weapon we needed to fight the cause of the people. Before we get to the act, has COVID-19 affected the approach of the NCA in terms of advocacy? Is it fair to say that some consumer groups are not keeping up with the changes in the environment? Some people are hinting at, how has COVID-19 affected? What changes has the NCA made? Well, COVID has affected every factor of the society, everywhere. You could not meet. You could not have discussion face to face. You have a mask on your face and you could see my negative match in. You have. So there was a COVID, definitely, shake the fabric of the world and even our own country. And because of that, a lot of people capitalize on COVID, from the big profits. And some of the things which I believe we can look at, load a lot of local product. I think solution to be to move into using local products. But even that has its challenges with it. Because there are certain goods which are not labor incentive, which you don't have to police or to care for, like coconuts, mangoes, breadfruits, avocados, lemon, and so on. And the price of these things has caught up drastically, as books move of the vendors. All Mr. James, the price of things going up in the small market, so we have to increase our price for to be able to buy the thing in the small market. I understand that. I agree with that. But at the same time, it's no matter what price you put it up. I mean, a little hand of green fig, $5. Let's be realistic. It's a certain thing. I mean, green fig, you have to continue to have it, to care for the field. But like breadfruit and mangoes and these things, I don't think you're going to be mutated for little mangoes for $6. In fact, $6. Don't. You're just going to pick. You don't care for it. And you're going to say that for a little malleable like yourself. And that's what the price you're selling it. I see some of the things we're selling which are even worth to be on the market at all. And it's not to be at high prices. So we need to begin to focus on the justification that COVID and price of goods going up, so we must increase their own prices to be able to meet the cost of buying their own goods from some markets. Before we move further along, this is issues and answers, a production of the government information service. We will be right back. I have my 13-year-old child. She's driving me crazy. I just don't know what to do. All that I need is some good leaks to wake up. Alice, ignore the counseling panaceas given. Government employees have free access to professional counseling services under the employee assistance program known as EAP. EAP? EAP? What's that? Not me that telling people my business. Listen to me, Alice. I was struggling with my child. I made an appointment to see an EAP counselor. And I was very satisfied with the service that I received. And you know what? Up to a day like today, my information remains confidential. Cox, how come nobody in the office knew anything about your counseling? That's because EAP counselors, they work on the strict clauses of confidentiality. I know you know what confidential means. EAP providing professional counseling services? How much is it? Girl, the counseling is free. Free for you, free for your child. And you know what? Your information remains confidential. Call the EAP unit at the Ministry of the Public Service. Telephone number 468-2269 for more information. EAP Works, let it work for you. Welcome back. Mr. James, earlier this year, the government passed a consumer protection act. You've hinted now consumer groups like yourself have more teeth. Could you tell us the importance of this act coming into law? And what are some of the major highlights and some of the stuff that a consumer group would not have been able to do before and it's possible now? The consumer act has a wide band of areas we can go. And some goods and services, it covers everything. You go to a doctor and then you feel that the doctor can give you proper service or to a lawyer or to a store or to a business place. You can file a complaint if you feel the service they gave you was not the right kind of services. The public, the staff treat you that when you enter there, the way they did, the kind of service they provide you with. And the act may prove it for all of them whether they have the section for services and services wide in all what you offer to the members of the public. So we didn't have that teeth to have gone to that area before. And now we have that to anybody who file a complaint against any of those institutions or service providers like the telecommunications and the WASCO and Lucillec and anyone, we can tackle that thing. But it also gave us a list of the Ministry, the Department of Consumer Affairs, which did the act make provision for there to be domestic, which is the organization like NCA, or if they come to you all directly. If you cannot settle that, it can go to mediation. If there is no mediation, it can go to the committee, which I'm going to look into the complaints how it's happened. And then the final one is the tribunal. The tribunal only activate and meet if any of these at the bottom, which I mentioned, did not succeed in solving the problem. And if a tribunal can't succeed the problem, you have a right to go to the High Court, not to look to the High Court. And so you have enough steps that you can make sure that you get justice for whatever charges you have bring against the person who you brought the charge against. So therefore, we didn't have that before, now it has happened. So the law gave the consumer the right to get value for the money. So if we cannot handle it at NCA, we can solve it. We can transfer it to fellow competent report and send to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. And when it reaches there, it goes through the stages of those level I have given you. But all these different levels at the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. On the world of justice, let's talk about redress. The Consumer Affairs Department provides redress to consumers, but so does the NCA. Could you tell us the redress that a consumer can get coming to the NCA? And how has that been for the organization dealing with businesses around St. Lucia and getting redress for consumers? Over the years, NCA has succeeded in a lot of the cases that are there. I would say we have seen more cases than losing the cases. Sometimes they give you the wrong information. Now, what are the things that consumers must learn? Although the way the private sector function now they give a little motion tip. And by the time you reach to put a thing that it's already failed, you cannot see what's written on it. So then you have a receipt. Now, if you're going by a higher-purchase mood somewhere, you must have that agreement to give you or that contract to give you. Or if you buy something, you must get a written receipt. But that's evidence to prove that you did purchase and put where that service. So that is your first step to file the complaint. If you don't have it, and you can answer the question we are asking you, we will not be able to proceed with the case. We may just take a chance to try our luck to see if the person is going to admit yes, the person bought that thing from no idea for the person. But if not, is there a receipt you need to have for us to be able to say, look, you can deny it was, that was your receipt. But the little motion tip, that feeling too quickly and then you cannot use that if it doesn't even, you'll repeat right away. But if you let a few days a month pass, it become difficult for us to file a case for without the receipt. So the receipt is very important for any consumer who bought, buy, purchase, or do anything, anybody, you must have that receipt where you pay the person for that service. And then you can take it from there and move with you. Do you think consumers, or enough consumers, know about redress? The reason why I say that is consumer education is one of the major pillars in terms of consumer advocacy. And one of the pillars that would affect change, change in a consumer. We've seen a lot of consumers online complain about not receiving redress, but yet, there are at least two agencies, the MCA and the Consumer Affairs Department that provide redress to consumers depending on the sector. You have other agencies, for example, the Bureau of Standards, Service Management Authority that deals with their sector. Do you think consumer education or the penetration of a lot of the rules of these consumer groups are reaching the consumers? And why, if you think it's not reaching them? Okay, we must also understand that the private sectors are also consumers. They may not be selling gas there, but they're going to buy the food on the other side there. And they buy the food and they go to the butcher shop. So we all are consumers, but at different levels. But generally, everybody are consumers. When this education has been given to the people, every day that there are PSAs on that radio and television, talking about high sodium in food, talking about the things. And even we don't read the labels. The labels has the information about the goods. It is your responsibility to read what is written on these labels. So you can know whether you should buy the thing or not. Also, either the bottom or the top of the things you buy has an expiry date on it. You supposed to know these things also. Just go to the Buddhist market and just pick up things, drop in the basket and go with it. You must know, when you see, the price of the thing reduced. Something is wrong. Either the date of expiration is coming to a very close. They put the reducer. You can buy two for two to sell it out. Or it is something that you need to know. So therefore you must read what is written. That's why this information are there for you to read it. So whilst the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the NCA are supposed to educate the public on certain things, but the public must themselves, they put a lot of pain money to print those labels without you educating them on the labels. So therefore the responsibility also yours to educate yourself on it is also our responsibility to tell you what you may not know. And that's that the two groups with the consumer themselves must know that. The Bureau of Studies are the amnesty which we rely on. Certain things which we cannot do or we have the expo is to do, the President has to do it. They have standards. And as far as my interaction with the Bureau of Studies, a lot of these private sectors are represented on the standards committee of what's happening in the data space. So therefore they are aware of what's happening. Consumers, Mr. Jims is saying you need to be responsible and exercise high level of awareness when shopping. This is issues and answers, we'll be right back. We are working parents. And we breastfed both babies exclusively. I have six children, I have all of them, I have all of them, I have all of them, I have all of them, I have all of them, I have all of them. Mother's breast milk is naturally the best milk for baby. Love yourself and love your baby. Breastfeeding saves me money and it's free. Every moment I breastfeed strengthens the bond between me and my baby. I breastfed twin boys and lost all my baby fats. And we have breast milk power. I am Pastor Alvin and I support breastfeeding. For more information, call the Nutrition Unit of the Ministry of Health and Wellness at 468-5359. Mr. Jims, is it fair to see the relevance of a consumer group like the NCA is no more in a digital age? The reason why I say that is a consumer may argue that they will go on Facebook, they will go on these social media platforms and get redressed. In some cases, it has worked. The NCA would say no, you need to join a consumer group like ours. What is your take on that? To define that the right of a consumer doesn't mean you have to be a member of the NCA. Our role is to deal with consumers, generally. So therefore, it would be very, very good for everybody could join the NCA, that's gonna be fine. We'll welcome that. But you don't have to be. I will tell you, because you're a member of the NCA, we cannot defend, you know, that's wrong. That's a myth. We defend everybody. In digital age, a lot of people put things on Facebook and so forth. So it's not everything you see on Facebook or in the internet, you just have to tick and just what it is and that's what it is. That's not true. There's a lot of fake information on the internet and you must have that astuteness to understand whether that thing makes sense or not. Just just take it and go ahead if there is a poison to you. So therefore, NCA is still relevant because we also have a website where people can log into the website and see what is there. And can persons also submit complaints? Yes, comment on the website. That is, there's a complaint form on the website. So you can interact that way with the NCA. So while the digital age is making things, supposed to make things more accessible and easier, but not everybody who has the skills to be able to handle or maneuver themselves through these websites and just saying, to get information that they want or expect to get. So therefore, NCA is relevant still because you have senior people who are not technological savvy. And then you have even the younger persons. I mean, if they can use the phone to make a call, well, how to, whether they can swim through that thing and get the information they want. You know, like, who can do it? So if it is just relevant, you cannot just get rid of the thing because the internet is there. And supposing that the LIME or GTCL say that the service is done, what are you going to do? So is the NCA looking for members currently? Always, always. We'll welcome. So give us some of the benefits of joining the National Consumer Association. The benefit of the NCA is that you have the information right inside there. So we haven't put something out to the public yet, but you will have it there, which will be exposed to it. You will be, I mean, like the recalls from overseas. Unless we don't put it out to the people or the FDA or when people put it out, you don't go to know it. But with the NCA, the information is right in where we can, our members will know very early, they can pass it on to somebody else and the thing. So for the inside information, you get it from source. And not from second or third hand. So when you speak of this thing, you speak for a degree of authority, of informed. You know what you're talking about. Compared to you personally, you have somebody talking, you just pick it up and you add your own Korean black pepper into it. What would you say to some persons that are saying there was a lot of consumer issues recently and no one has heard from the NCA in terms of advocating for consumers? There were issues at the supermarket recently in any areas. What is your answer to that? It's not everything that values go and just go and talk. You need to want to investigate further why. And when you get to know why, because that's what I've been doing, I've been speaking to the private sector about the prices of goods, about why that is so, why that is not so, and the thing. And all of them have that same theory or the same answer. The cost of shipping these goods to the country is very high. And as a result of that, obviously, the private sector is going to absorb all the quality going to pass it to the consumers. Then we all know that. Now, is that reasonable or unreasonable? Should I marry in a business to be at a loss? Or should I do it from the big even? Or should I do it from a big profit? Which one are you going to choose? Now, the consumer themselves must know that I have $10 in my pocket and I need X, Y, Z. What are the options I have? You don't have to go for a brand anymore. You have to go, what's the affordability? You may not be able to buy what I can use. Something, a bottle of Hennessy for $200, may be able to buy a bottle of brandy or something that is cost about $27. So therefore, it's the choices that you're making will be said how far your money stretch, how economically you can use your money. So the consumers have that responsibility also. So we keep on doing things, I mean, it's true. I have not been out in the public to keep on talking about everything, but we are doing a lot of things to help them to control the price a little bit, which we have got much control over, but we try now best to make sure we have consultation to make sure things are right. We have under two minutes left. So one final thought from you, I will ask you. A message, just send a message to a consumer right now who's going to the supermarket, who's going to get services and they see an increase in prices. There's less money in the pocket. What recommendation or what explanation would you give to a consumer like that in terms of how to operate in the climate we are? In the climate we are, consumers will be more astute in spending their money. They have to be more strategic. You have to forget about brands and look at what you can afford to buy. You have to look at probably if you're eating a big plate of food, you may have to reduce on the amount of food you are eating in order to help you to stretch out the goods you have in your house to help you last year longer. They may have to be looking for more local stuff, planting a lot of little things they can plant in your backyard, do a lot of things to help you to push on the high prices and things you can do on your own like chives and onion and peppers and all the same you can plant behind your house. So a lot of things you can plant on a big tree, or you'll plant a tree by your house which will help you to push on some other prices. So I think we need to begin to rethink the way we do things and do differently so we'll be able to survive in these hard economic times. That's a good end to a wonderful program. This program was for the consumer. Again, my name is Marvin St. Louis. I was joined by Mr. Yuba James, Interim President of the National Consumers Association. Thank you for joining issues and answers. Have a good day. Thank you.