The territory of the Virgin Islands highly anticipated and long-awaited Virgin Islands ‘Consumer Protection Act, 2020’ was passed in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly on June 8th, 2020.
Leader of Government business and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie in moving a motion for the third reading of the bill said: “Today is a historic day in the House of Assembly and is a day that we all will remember and all our names will go down into the passing of this Consumer Protection Act, it was 2019 when it came in but the amendments will be 2020.”
Fahie added: “This indeed is a good day for the people of the Virgin Islands and the businesses of the Virgin Islands and for the protection of the consumers and also for the protection of businesses.”
Leader of the opposition, district 8th representative and former Junior Minister of Trade Hon. Marlon A Penn seconded the motion. In his statement he said:
“I rise to second the motion and I also associate myself with the comments just raised by the Premier. I think it is important that we have gone through the process and this bill has passed through very strenuous situations at times, I think it is a red-letter day that we have been able to accomplish this here this evening, and I think to god be the glory and to the people be the glory for all the persons who worked on this piece of legislation.”
The Consumer Protection Act has been a long time coming. Many persons have taken to social media in commending the Government of the Virgin Islands on its ability to have the act finally passed. Local Virgin Islander Mr. Dean Greenaway, said in a Facebook post:
“For years, Politicians have been touting ‘working for the people’ but did absolutely NOTHING to protect the people they ‘claimed’ to be working for. This Administration must be commended for having the Scrotum to do what Administration after Administration after Administration after Administration have failed to do, pass the Consumer Protection Act on June 8, 2020! The Bvi Beacon turned 36 on June 7 & I began writing about the need for a Consumer Protection Agency 35 years ago. Finally, an aspect of the country has ‘moved forward’ & it has been a long time coming because it wasn’t as priority of Politicians before!!!”
The Bill is indeed an important step in strengthening and moving the economy of the Virgin Islands forward. But what exactly does this bill being passed means. Here at the facts:
• Thou the bill has been passed in the HOA, the bill first has to be assented to by the Governor of the Virgin Islands. This can sometimes take a while, particularly if he is not in favor of certain articles of the bill.
• Once the bill is assented too and published in the Gazette then the content of the bill will then be in effect.
• This may include investigations into businesses to ascertain exactly what is taking place. For example, whether or not they are operating in fair trade.