MEC detects violations in northern areas

The Ministry of Economy and Commerce (MEC) has carried out surprise inspection campaigns targeting commercial outlets in Al Shamal town and Al Ruwais in a bid to monitor their compliance with Law No 8 of 2008 on consumer protection.

The campaigns resulted in the detection of three violations, according to a press statement from the MEC. During the initiative, shops were fined for failing to display prices and Arabic labels, as well as offering unlicensed discounts in violation of Law No 8 of 2008 and Decision No 5 of 1984 regarding discounted sales (promotions).

The first and second violations resulted in fines of QR6,000, and the third in a fine of QR5,000. The ministry said the campaigns were within the framework of its efforts to monitor markets and commercial activities in order to crack down on price manipulation and violations and protect consumer rights.

Further, the MEC stressed that it would not tolerate any violation of the Consumer Protection Law and its regulations, and would intensify inspection campaigns to crack down on violators. It will refer those who violate laws and ministerial decrees to the competent authorities, who will, in turn, take appropriate action against the perpetrators in order to protect consumer rights.

The ministry has urged all consumers to report violations or submit complaints and suggestions through the call centre: 16001, email: info@mec.gov.qa, Twitter: MEC_QATAR, Instagram: MEC_QATAR and the MEC application on iPhone and Android devices: MEC_QATAR.