MALTESE CONSUMER AFFAIRS ORIENTATION

When I became directly involved locally in Consumer Affairs back in 1992, I could not help but be concerned about how badly our ‘Consumer’ orientation, culture, and mentality needed addressing. On a positive note we did, and we continue to, improve. However there is still a lot of room for improvement and I daresay it will take more time to catch up with fellow Europeans. An aspect which still needs addressing is the average Maltese consumers’ lack of interest in Consumer Affairs combined with a reluctance to take the bull by the horns while expecting ‘big brother’ to do it all for them.

The average Maltese consumer only takes an interest in Consumer Affairs if he or she is directly effected. Indeed, most Consumers’ Union members only join if they have a problem and, by the time their membership is due for renewal, they will not renew it if, at the time, they do not have a “consumer” problem. All is not lost however.

Over the years, apart from compiling the Sunday Times Customer Service Column, my involvement in Consumer Affairs has always included a broad spectrum of intermeshing Consumer Affairs related activities such as participating in various radio and television programmes as well as giving talks aimed at generating questions and discussion sessions with audiences ranging from British residents’ to students. This gives me a relatively accurate feel, or perhaps reading, of how the average Maltese consumer’s orientation compares with that of other countries’ nationals. Although it does not compare favourably I can see a continuous improvement.

This is encouraging but the greatest encouragement comes from the keen interest shown by our young ones. I remember when I gave a talk to sixth formers at the European Community School in Swieqi I was impressed by their orientation and the keen interest they showed and couldn’t help but wish that Maltese students would catch up with them. However, subsequently I was just as impressed and very encouraged at St. Joseph Secondary School in Sliema, one of the many schools I used to visit regularly when I was based in what used to be the Department of Consumer Affairs.

As teachers know, there is a limit to students’ attention span. At a point it just runs out and that’s your cue, or perhaps an opportunity, to “leave the stage”. However, on this occasion, it just did not happen and they wouldn’t stop asking questions. When I suggested I ought to go they disagreed. I must have been at it for about two hours and eventually I had to reluctantly wrench myself away due to another appointment. Indeed the gap is narrowing and it looks like the forthcoming Maltese generation’s orientation will compare favourably with that of other developed countries. Accordingly they will give ‘European’ suppliers a good run for their money. One day ‘World Consumer Rights Day’ in Malta will be given its due importance on a larger scale than at present.

Adrian Muscat Inglott