MAJORITY OF ARMENIAN CONSUMERS ARE NOT AWARE OF THEIR
RIGHTS, CRP CHAIRMAN SAYS
11-08-2006 16:30:00 | Armenia | Economy
YEREVAN, AUGUST 11, NOYAN TAPAN. A sociological survey
conducted under the program "Social Initiative on Consumer
Rights Protection in Armenia's Public Service Sector" has
identified the public service sector's problems that most
concern citizens. Abgar Eghoyan, Chairman of the Consumer Rights
Protection (CRP) NGO, stated this during the August 11 press
conference. According to him, consumers are mainly concerned
with issues related to gas, water, electricity supply and
telecommunications. "There are numerous complaints about the low
quality of Internet connection service provision, especially
regarding bills sent against services that were not delivered,"
A. Eghoyan said.
The survey revealed that the majority of Armenian consumers
are not aware of their rights. Particularly, most of them are
not informed about tariffs of gas supply network installation in
their houses or apartments. A. Eghoyan said that in order to
fill this gap, with the assistance of the Eurasia Foundation the
CRP has implemented a program of measures aimed at informing the
population. A "Consumer Guide" was published, posters with
information about water, gas and electricity supply and
telecommunication were put up at minicipalities, condominiums
and some banks' branches. Thanks to a hot line at the CRP,
consumers can get free advice.
"Consumer Guide: Book 2" was published by CRP's Civil
Interests Protection Assistance Program jointly with Counterpart
International, it is distributed free of charge. The book
contains examples of applications, complaints and claims, as
well as information about the appropriate state bodies and
organizations.