WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY
In 2024, still a year of crisis, DECO defends the urgent resolution of problems that harm the rights and interests of consumers in priority sectors, namely essential public services and banking.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS
Why is it important for the consumer?
Society is increasingly dependent on information and communication systems, but consumer problems in this sector remain unanswered. Telecommunications must reinforce consumer protection, through efficient supervision and the creation of quality indicators and commercial regulation parameters.
Solutions required by DECO
- Review the Electronic Communications Law with the prohibition of price updates during the loyalty period;
- Approve a Service Quality and Commercial Relations Regulation for all electronic communications and postal services provided to consumers;
- Adapt the social internet tariff, including it in different tariff options and ensuring greater access for vulnerable consumers.
ENERGY
Why is it important for the consumer?
The energy bill has a significant impact on household income and, given the volatility of prices in this market and the energy transition, consumers have to be very demanding regarding the quality of services and their protection when contracting.
Solutions required by DECO
- Speed up the activation of telemetering on already installed smart meters, reducing estimated billing;
- Reduce VAT to 6% on all components of the energy bill;
- Review the criteria for attributing the social tariff for electricity and natural gas, adapting the annual income requirement to current standards.
WATER
Why is it important for the consumer?
Given the increase in the cost of living and the possibility of higher tariffs, it is important to adopt measures that promote an effective tariff policy suited to the interests of consumers, especially in a context of scarcity. Better service quality standards are also called for, penalizing less innovative and efficient management entities.
Solutions required by DECO
- Create a sanctioning regime and a contracting model harmonized with the tariff structure, avoiding the charging of inappropriate fees;
- Guarantee the application of a social tariff for water, supply and waste services in a mandatory, automatic manner and subject to harmonized criteria;
- Strengthen ERSAR’s regulatory powers and approve a Service Quality Regulation;
BANKING
Why is it important for the consumer?
Banks are essential for ensuring consumers have access to services and savings, payments and investment. However, the crisis has reinforced the vulnerability of consumers in the face of market dynamics, coupled with digitalization with the consequent exclusion of citizens from minimum services, as well as the increase in fraudulent situations without guarantees of compensation for the damage caused.
Solutions required by DECO
- Resume the possibility of deducting interest on personal and permanent housing loans for all loans and restore the 30% limit;
- Eliminate commissions for early repayment in the variable rate regime and reduce their value to 0.5% in the fixed rate regime;
- Create a list or database of IBANs and Multibanco references used in fraud, through a centralized registry.
DECO wants a consumer with better access to the energy market, with quality in water and sanitation services, justice in waste tariffstransparency in communications savings in disposable income.
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To read the previous article published by DECO Algarve, click here.
