Pushes for Consumer Protection Act
The government has granted a tax amnesty starting from February 1, with penalties waived and interest reduced by 80%, provided that outstanding capital has been fully paid.
The leadership of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NCCI) Northern Branch last week welcomed a tax amnesty announced by the government and urged the authorities to speed up the adoption of a Consumer Protection Act.
The government has granted tax amnesty starting from February 1, with penalties waived and interest reduced by 80% provided that outstanding capital has been fully paid.
“We thank the government for such consideration and urge our members to honour their tax obligations.
The major source of revenue for the government of the Republic of Namibia is tax revenues. These revenues are used by the government to fund the development initiatives of the country such as the building of roads and other construction projects such as the maintenance of schools, hospitals and many more.
This revenue is collected from individuals, organisations and businesses.
We acknowledge that amnesty but we want to make it clear that we are all obliged to pay taxes,” the statement read.
NCCI branch chairman Tomas Koneka Iindji urged the government to accelerate the passing of a law that protects consumers, saying that such Act would empower consumers to lodge complaints about service providers and would promote ethical business practices.
Consumer protection covers a wide range of topics, including but not necessarily limited to product liability, privacy rights, unfair business practices, fraud, misrepresentation, and other consumer or business interactions.
“This act is pivotal for our development agenda in many ways. Among other things, the law will force service providers to explain their products and services better and vehemently protect the interests of the consumer.
“Consumer protection and consumer advocacy bring the intentions of the company and products together with the needs of the customers and the market that they are operating. Furthermore, consumer protection requires that companies provide detailed information about their products.
By understanding what is in products, how they were created, and what was used in them, companies can ensure that their products are safe,” Iindji said.
The Consumer Protection Act is tipped to promote a fair, accessible and sustainable marketplace for consumer products and services; establish national norms and standards to ensure adequate consumer protection; give guidelines for improved standards of consumer information that will prohibit unfair marketing or other unfair business practices; encourage responsible consumer behaviour; and establish the National Consumer Commission.
STAFF REPORTER
The government has granted tax amnesty starting from February 1, with penalties waived and interest reduced by 80% provided that outstanding capital has been fully paid.
“We thank the government for such consideration and urge our members to honour their tax obligations.
The major source of revenue for the government of the Republic of Namibia is tax revenues. These revenues are used by the government to fund the development initiatives of the country such as the building of roads and other construction projects such as the maintenance of schools, hospitals and many more.
This revenue is collected from individuals, organisations and businesses.
We acknowledge that amnesty but we want to make it clear that we are all obliged to pay taxes,” the statement read.
NCCI branch chairman Tomas Koneka Iindji urged the government to accelerate the passing of a law that protects consumers, saying that such Act would empower consumers to lodge complaints about service providers and would promote ethical business practices.
Consumer protection covers a wide range of topics, including but not necessarily limited to product liability, privacy rights, unfair business practices, fraud, misrepresentation, and other consumer or business interactions.
“This act is pivotal for our development agenda in many ways. Among other things, the law will force service providers to explain their products and services better and vehemently protect the interests of the consumer.
“Consumer protection and consumer advocacy bring the intentions of the company and products together with the needs of the customers and the market that they are operating. Furthermore, consumer protection requires that companies provide detailed information about their products.
By understanding what is in products, how they were created, and what was used in them, companies can ensure that their products are safe,” Iindji said.
The Consumer Protection Act is tipped to promote a fair, accessible and sustainable marketplace for consumer products and services; establish national norms and standards to ensure adequate consumer protection; give guidelines for improved standards of consumer information that will prohibit unfair marketing or other unfair business practices; encourage responsible consumer behaviour; and establish the National Consumer Commission.
STAFF REPORTER
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