Sunday 31 March 2024
The Consumer Protection Administration in South Al Batinah Governorate (Barka) recently conducted a successful operation in which a group of expatriate workers was arrested for manufacturing furniture from waste wood and old sponges. The Administration's Market Regulation and Supervision Department carried out the monitoring and inspection efforts leading to the arrests.
The investigation began after the Consumer Protection Administration received a report from a consumer who observed expatriates remanufacturing furniture in an unsuitable environment on a farm in the Al Rumais area of Wilayat Barka. It was discovered that the expatriate workers were selling this furniture to consumers as new items. As a result, 22 furniture-making tools and 1,000 chair frames ready for upholstery and sale were seized.
During the interrogation, the violators admitted to their wrongdoing. All the illegal products were confiscated and would be destroyed. In addition to the seizure, a fine of OMR1000 was imposed on the expatriate workers for violating Article 7 of the Consumer Protection Law. This article prohibits the trading of fraudulent, spoiled, counterfeit, or unauthorized commodities, as well as their advertisement.
The Consumer Protection Authority urges all suppliers to make every effort to inspect products carefully, ensuring a safe market for consumers and protecting their rights as guaranteed by law. It also encourages consumers to report any market violations they come across through various communication channels.