Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
30/07/2012
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Brasília - In office since July 18, the first holder of the newly created National Office of the Consumer (Senacon), Juliana Pereira, believes that government and regulatory agencies have increasingly appreciated the role of the consumer issues involving economics and sustainability. With nine years of Ministry of Justice and extensive experience in the area of consumer law, the secretary ensures that, thanks to growing awareness among consumers about their rights, good results have already been harvested. Among them, the recent punishment imposed by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to mobile phone companies.
"The example of what happens in societies [as the U.S.] have the economy based on consumption, in Brazil the consumer is increasingly protagonist subject of law and partner of the economy and the state. When purchasing, finance, or to borrow, he not only becomes an agent of economic process as a part also of the policies of the growing economy. Moreover, the consumer has a fundamental role in processes such as sustainability, as well as becoming a partner in supervision and monitoring of other policies such as reduction of interest, "said the Brazil Agency Secretary.
In this sense, adds the secretary, the creation of Senacon reflects a cultural change in which is Brazil. "We are living in an institutional leap for consumer protection. In creating the structure [of Senacon], we have made clear gains in the hierarchy that this area is within the government, and that the consumer holds, now and in fact, an agenda of State, "he argues.
The Senacon has among its responsibilities, to coordinate the National System of Consumer Protection, formed by Procon, the Public Defender's Office, prosecutors and civil entities of consumer protection. Juliana points out, as one of the fruits already harvested by the system, the FCC's recent actions, which culminated in the ban on the sale of chips and modems from companies in several states. "The complaints we receive from the system, which serves customers in 214 cities, are brought to MJ, that addresses the regulatory agency. In this case, the FCC. In parallel, we send all reports of regulated services to the TCU. "
Among the difficulties expected for the new secretary, Juliana Pereira points out three main axes of problems to be tackled. The first involves the areas regulated by local agencies. "Another problem is the axis of the financial sector, especially those involving credit cards offered by stores. For these cards are not financial institutions, end up not being regulated by the Central Bank. With this, show many disparities and cause many problems for consumers "said the secretary.
The third axis of problems to be tackled by Senacon is the after-sales, especially consumer electronics and white goods (appliances). "There are shops in every corner that is selling everything, but there is no customer support services. Insufficient technical assistance, installation services and post-sale general for cases where products have problem, "he explains.
"It's important to make clear that the Code of defense, where there are no representatives of the brand purchased, the store is one who has to answer for the product sold. Unfortunately, in general, it only fulfills this responsibility in cases where the consumer enters the justice or fires the Procon, "says the secretary. According to her, these difficulties have been higher in situations where the purchase is made via electronic commerce.
To alleviate such problems, the Senacon commitment to financial education of consumers, initially through online courses offered by the National School of Consumer Protection. "We want to get the community to inform them of their rights, passing on information to help them become self-protection to make good choices and be more precise notions about the cost of credit offered by banks, credit cards and general stores" . According to the secretary at least 10,000 consumers have already made this course.
"Our intention now is to significantly expand this range. We have an initial focus the most vulnerable consumers, particularly seniors and new consumers. "
The first pilot program to prepare multipliers presence is planned for October in Fortaleza (CE), through a partnership with the Federation of Favelas of Fortaleza, an organization that includes 112 associations of slum dwellers. The secretary added that those interested in applying for such courses may do so through Procon states.
Source: JB
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.