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| News & Features |
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| What Students on Feildwork Placement do at the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) |
| 9th November 2009 |
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As Social Work students on attachment at CCZ we are exposed to a plethora of experience and knowledge that helps us grow both professionally and socially. We are involved in a complex network of activities which include complaints handling, consumer advocacy, research, linking and networking, prize surveys and consumer education.
With the diverse and comprehensive toolkit, we are investigating, handling and resolving a number of complaints brought to CCZ by clients from all walks of life. We have access to some Acts that guide us in assessing the legality of cases brought before us such as the Consumer Contract Act of 1994 which stipulates that whatever agreement made between the consumer and retailer should be honoured at all times e.g. that of guarantees. We are also realising that the cases that we are handling fall in different categories such as advertising ,accommodation ,shoddy goods ,health and safety, economic structures and miscellaneous. In the process of complaints handling, we interview both the complainant and the defendant, mediate, negotiate and finally arbitrate. We always advocate for a fair deal between the two making sure that consumer rights are protected and at the same time consumer responsibilities are carried out appropriately.
We also carry out consumer education which is a tool that empowers consumers to be independent, have confidence in all their transactions, address their own concerns, and have a critical awareness of the business practices and other matters related to their rights as consumers. In this light, we are carrying out awareness campaigns and outreach programmes to conscientise and sensitise consumers about their rights and responsibilities. We are achieving this mainly through the distribution of pamphlets and flyers.
Apart from the above, we also participate in price surveys for the compilation of the monthly consumer basket. The surveys are carried out in pharmacies, supermarkets, service station kiosks, hospitals and suburbs for rentals. We conduct the surveys fortnightly so that consumers are kept abreast of the local market trends. We also make a comparative analysis of the pricing of goods and services to broaden the choices of consumers.
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Linking and networking with other stakeholders is another activity that we do. We have the opportunity to communicate with various organisations which include Water, Electricity and Health Authorities, Small Claims Court, Standards Association of Zimbabwe and other NGOs in addressing consumers concerns. These broaden our spectrum of knowledge and help us to easily solve consumer problems.
Last but not least, we are involved in research on matters affecting consumers especially through the media. We browse through the local newspapers which enable us to see some of the misleading adverts, poor labelling, price disparities and shoddy goods among others. Therefore we will be able to take appropriate action.
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