Cabinet Adds Nine Inspectors to Enforce Price Reductions

Cabinet Adds Nine Inspectors to Enforce Price Reductions

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved the hiring of nine additional inspectors to strengthen enforcement of recent price reduction measures and ensure consumers receive the intended benefits of lowered taxes and duties on basic goods.

Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office Maurice Merchant said Cabinet approved the additional staffing after the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division reported challenges enforcing existing laws across supermarkets and retail outlets.

“An additional nine staff members have been added. They were granted approval for the employment of an additional nine individuals to be officers on the street to go into the various supermarkets to assess whether or not the reduction in prices are moving on to the general public,” Merchant said.

The inspectors will support ongoing checks on retailers following recent tax and duty reductions on selected food items, including fruits and vegetables. Cabinet was told that compliance has been uneven, with some retailers failing to demonstrate that cost savings are being passed on to consumers.

In addition to expanding staffing, Merchant said Cabinet has instructed the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division to broaden its enforcement scope.

“Cabinet instructed the Prices and Consumer Affairs officials to look at other items that can be under price control, and so government will dictate what the prices will be for these items in terms to support the population,” he said.

Merchant also said Cabinet has directed the division to provide frequent updates on enforcement progress.

“Government advised the Prices and Consumer Affairs officials that they should return to Cabinet every two weeks to give an update on whether or not the benefits are being passed on to consumers,” he said.

The move forms part of wider efforts by the government to address cost-of-living pressures and strengthen consumer protection, as Cabinet also prepares amendments to existing price control legislation to improve enforcement.

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