Consumers' body urges businesses not to increase food prices using flood as excuse
CAB Chattogram Central Committee expressed concern about the significant price hikes in boat rentals, public transport, truck rentals, candles, dry food, drinking water, vegetables, and other daily necessities
Consumers Association Bangladesh (CAB) Chattogram have urged commodity vendors, vehicle rentals, public transport, and airlines not to capitalise on flood-affected people's sufferings and to stand by their sides.
They made the request in a press release sent to the media this morning (24 August).
In the release, the CAB Chattogram Central Committee expressed concern about the significant price hikes in boat rentals, public transport, truck rentals, candles, dry food, drinking water, vegetables, and other daily necessities.
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"Business will profit, but exploiting crises like doubling airfare prices is not business; it's a syndicate decision that needs to be addressed immediately. How ethical and rational is it for our merchants to loudly seek exorbitant profits during any festival, Eid or Puja?" reads the CAB Ctg press release.
"When international market claims are made to justify price increases, yet remain silent when supply increases or international prices fall, what kind of ethics does that reflect?" it added.
"Thus, during times of crisis, instead of extorting the common consumers and showing fake compassion under the guise of social responsibility, the business community, various business organisations, and affluent corporations are urged to genuinely assist the flood victims from their positions," the release further said.
The statement in the press release was issued by Chattogram CAB Vice-President SM Najer Hosain, General Secretary Kazi Iqbal Bahar Chaberi, and City President Jesmin Sultana Paru, among others.
