Confirmation that controls on prices for essentials appear to be taking place regularly (see Tuesday newspaper) might provide a bit of reassurance for people struggling to keep up with a seemingly continuous rise in the cost of living. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Grisha Heyliger-Marten told Parliament during discussions on the draft 2025 budget that 636 products had been checked and a combined 7,500 Netherlands Antillean guilders in fines were issued.
The report did not state exactly over what period, but according to her controls are held on a weekly basis. The percentage of violations was also left unmentioned, which obviously relates to the total fines amount.
When government expanded the so-called “basket of basic goods” for which it sets maximum rates no less than six-fold from 12 to 72 items effective August 1, 2022, the decision was not without controversy. Only after intensive consultations with importers, distributors and retailers could initial issues be resolved.
But without active enforcement, rules are often not worth the paper they were written on and tend to become toothless tigers. It is therefore nice to know that at least some of those taking unfair advantage of consumers in this matter are caught and ultimately held accountable.
