Consumer rights are not a luxury; it is a necessity for a fair and ethical economy. Yet in Bangladesh, the sad reality is that consumer fraud has become a routine practice. From food adulteration, underweight goods, false advertising, to substandard services across sectors, cheating the consumer has turned into a norm rather than an exception.
Though the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009 provides legal safeguards, its implementation remains weak. The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) does take action, but limited manpower, administrative inefficiencies, and even political interference hinder its effectiveness. While more than 1.6 lakh complaints were filed between 2009 and 2023, with over Tk 113 crore in fines collected, the pace of complaint resolution still lags behind public expectations.
The problem goes deeper than poor regulation. Many businesses operate under the mentality that profit justifies any practice, ethical or not.
This mindset encourages the sale of date-expired goods, misinformation in packaging, and exploitative practices in healthcare, education, and e-commerce. Worse, many consumers remain unaware of their rights or lack the confidence to file complaints, creating a fertile ground for ongoing exploitation.
Yet there is hope. The DNCRP has taken commendable steps with online complaint platforms, mobile apps, and awareness campaigns using social media. Platforms like Facebook and YouTube are playing a powerful role in exposing fraud and empowering consumers.
However, lasting change requires stronger enforcement of laws, civic awareness, and most importantly, a shift toward business ethics. Every citizen must take come forward to raise awareness, verify before buying, and speak up when cheated. Silence only empowers the dishonest.
Surja Mandal
LL.B. Student,
Department of Law
World University of Bangladesh
