Oman's consumer watchdog registers rise in number of complaints

Muscat: The Public Authority of Consumer Protection (PACP) in Oman registered a 19.4 per cent rise in the rate of complaints during the first half of the year, officials announced.
The report released states that the highest complaints registered were related to electronic appliances followed by complaints against automotive agencies. While 917 complaints registered were related to electronic appliances, 746 complaints were registered against automotive agencies and the service sector, 695 complaints were registered against vehicle repair workshops, followed by aluminium workshops and the blacksmithing, carpentry sector with 692 complaints. Meanwhile, 682 complaints registered were related to the domestic worker sector.
Other complaints were related to food, tyres, vehicle spare parts, telephones and services, contracting and building materials, kitchens, furniture, restaurants and cafes, clothing, jewellery and accessories among other things.
According to PACP’s report, "This increase [in complaints] is attributed to a number of reasons, the most important of which is the steady growth in the number of commercial activities and the efforts made by the Authority in promoting consumer awareness of their rights and duties; thus increasing consumer awareness about the rights that they can claim."