WITH THE price of basic items marking radical increases over the year and when the cost of living was already considered high– state services still insist we are among the cheapest states in the EU.
The Statistical Services’ report on utility prices for March this year has shown some steep increases compared to March 2009, with water increasing by 30.17 per cent and electricity marking a 24.78 per cent rise.
And this is without taking into account the imminent increases in fuel consumption tax, which officials have warned will lead to price increases for other basic items. This also isn’t accounting for EU-imposed sanctions on carbon emissions, which again, consumers are going to have to pay through tax increases. In addition, the government plans to impose further tax hikes as a means of easing its way out of the financial crisis.
Talking to the relevant state authorities, it is clear that apart from boycotting products and taking to the streets in protest, there really isn’t a lot consumers can do.
Or is there?
Speaking to a Commerce Ministry official yesterday, it became clear that there are measures consumers can take to at least cushion the blow of these increases.
“There really isn’t much we can do, except observe and announce retail prices, as we are living in a free market,” said the official.
“We can’t control prices and we can’t intervene in any way; it’s a matter of supply and demand. Nothing can be done and that is the truth; anyone who says otherwise is being a populist.”
But he added, “We do what we can to help consumers but consumers don’t help themselves. For example, there may be two petrol stations and someone chooses to go to the nearest one, which is dearer. Or they don’t check the prices at each station”.
Consumers need to be vigilant and careful when buying things, said the official. “Something might be cheap today and dear tomorrow. So, instead of buying a whole bag full of tomatoes today, when they may be dearer for one reason or another, buy a couple today and buy them in bulk when the prices have dropped; it all depends on varying factors.”
The official called on consumers to protect themselves, as no one else is going to do it for them. “The consumer is vastly responsible and needs to ensure he isn’t being exploited.”
However, consumers can’t be blamed for the lack of alternative energy sources or lack of public transportation system, among others, which is why the head of the Cyprus Consumers Association, Petros Markou, has arranged a meeting at the Commerce Ministry’s Consumer Advisory Committee with all implicated bodies – state services, unions, federations and others – on Friday, to discuss the matter and propose ways of easing the effects of the financial crisis.
“This is certainly not a pleasant situation,” said Markou, commenting on the price increases. “We are intensely concerned, which is why we have taken the initiative of arranging a meeting with the Consumer Advisory Committee. We will propose some thoughts and measures.”
Expanding further, he added: “We won’t exclude the possibility of collectively resorting to justice regarding specific complaints by consumers.”
Consumers taking to the streets and protesting is not the answer, said Markou.
“We can’t bring the state to a halt; but we need to come up with measures to improve this situation.”
UP DOWN
Water – 30.17% Furniture, ornaments – 4.87%
Electricity – 24.78% Vehicles – 5.97%
Liquid gas – 29.92% Fruit – 10.52%
Fuel – 23.73% Air travel – 21.74%
Medical services – 5.42% Vegetables – 2.34%
Beer – 8.49% Meat – 1.74%
Restaurants, cafes – 4.56% Books – 3.21%
Pre-school education – 6.49% Home insurance – 4.40%
Primary education – 5.13%
Secondary education – 5.88%
Higher education – 3.44%
Bread/wheat products – 0.58%
