Pricing hike or price increase was experienced in the Virgin Islands after the hurricanes of September 2017. The Government of the Virgin Islands is now seeking to guard against this practice in its proposed Consumer Protection Act. Photo: Digital Web Review

The Government team at the consultation meeting in Jost van Dyke on July 14, 2019. From left: Moderator, Kareem-Nelson Hull; Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), Consultant on Consumer Protection, Alyesha de Cotou-Sammy and Senior Policy Analyst in the Premier’s Office, Lizette O. George Snr. Photo: Facebook

As reported by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) that the proposed Consumer Protection Act did not cover ‘price gouging’, Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) has moved to point out that while the legislation is indeed missing that term, it instead uses the term ‘price hiking’ in the bid to protect consumers from the practice. Photo: GIS

Hon Fahie was at the time speaking at a Sunday, July 14, 2019 public consultation meeting at Foxy’s on Jost van Dyke (JvD) where the bill, yet to have its Second and Third Readings in the House of Assembly, is being explained in detail to citizens via a new government approach to policymaking.

Price hiking’ handled – Premier

“We want to look into this Consumer Protection Act so that we can make sure that the people of the Virgin Islands have recourse if they feel what they have purchased or whatever agreement they have gone into…has not gone in the way they think it should be, they didn't get quality service or they didn't get value for money, that they be some recourse with the law at their disposal,” Hon Fahie told those gathered in JvD for the meeting.

The Premier assured that the long-awaited Consumer Protection Bill, now being led by the Virgin Islands Party (VIP) government, will also address instances like the spiking of prices for goods and services that occurred after the hurricanes of 2017.

“Also we noted what happened during Hurricane Irma. In the bill it is not named 'price gouging', but we know there [was] 'price hiking' that went on during Irma, that all of a sudden things tripled and quadrupled in the cost," the Leader of Government Business noted. 

Hon Fahie also indicated that his government sees that as one way to help protect the consumer from experiencing the exploitative practice, “the supplier will also have to explain such actions,” he said.

More legislation coming

Premier Fahie pointed out that the Consumer Protection Bill is just one of many legislations that will be coming forward from his VIP Administration to improve the economy and business affairs in the territory.

In addition he said, “We are moving towards getting a trade commission so that we can also do inspection and make sure the people of the Virgin Islands get a fair deal.”