Jordan Times
Wednesday, November 10, 1999
Long road ahead to defend Arab consumer rights
— AFC
By Dima Amr
AMMAN — The 14 Arab countries attending the first meeting of the Arab Federation for Consumers (AFC) on Tuesday in Amman still have a long road to travel before realising their ambitious aim to spread the ideals of consumer protection throughout the Arab World and become an integral part of its civil society.
In his opening speech, AFC President Mohammad Obeidat, who also heads the Jordanian Consumer Protection Society, pointed out that the rights of the consumers are the focus of the federation's efforts. He said that in addition to improving the standards of food items and drugs, consumer services in general must be bettered.
Arab countries should work as a team to meet the challenges of globalisation and the liberalisation of markets and create a strong Arab economy.
While Jordan had started a consumer protection initiative in the mid-1980s, still not all Arab societies have managed to organise similar associations. Therefore, one of the main tasks of the AFC is to encourage activities in this area.
Among the countries represented in the conference were Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Sudan and Yemen. Saudi Arabia and Iraq did not attend.
AFC Secretary General Habib Girphal (Tunisia) emphasised that the event hopes to encourage the implementation of U.N. convention 248/39 of 1985 which recognises the importance of consumer protection for a dignified human life.
“Citizens must be enabled to defend their rights and to choose what they think is best for them. In this way, they can recapture their position as kings of the markets and influence the offers according to their wishes,” said Girphal.
According to the secretary general, consumer protection includes not only food articles and drugs — although about 50 per cent of a family's income is spent on these items — but also on a host of other products; clothing, education, housing, transport, energy, water and telecommunications.
Girphal lamented that there was not enough support from governments.
“Many necessary laboratories and technologies are lacking, and the possibilities of consumer associations are still limited,” he said. He called on Arab governments to support at least some of the consumer associations to ensure that important work is being done.
The federation strives to draft a consumer law for all Arab countries taking into consideration recognised international standards.
According to Suad Dieb (Egypt), vice secretary general of the ACF, only two of the member states, Tunisia and Jordan, have consumer laws so far. In Egypt, the law is still to be ratified by the parliament.
By considering international standards, the federation hopes to revitalise local Arab products and strengthen national economies. From now on, the federation will meet once a year in October to follow up on the progress of its work.