Member activity
Burundi consumer group wins de-taxation of 13 basic consumer products
25 Jun 2012
Pierre Nkurunziza, president of Burundi, implemented the
de-taxation of 13 basic consumer products following a general
strike organised by CI member
Consumers Association of Burundi (ABUCO), other civil society
organisations and the trade union confederation.
The "campaign against high costs of living" started in September
2011 when prices on basic goods in Burundi reached an unbearable
level. Water had increased by 367%, electricity by 260%.
ABUCO and its partners launched a vigorous campaign against the
increases, including inundating the president's office with letters
of protest.
Seven months later, nobody had responded to the plight of the
consumers, so ABUCO and its partners organised a general strike.
The majority of the population stayed away from work on 27 March
2012.
On 1 May 2012, the president declared measures that included the
de-taxation of 13 basic products.
Also, ABUCO was asked by the Minister of Commerce to provide a
representative to join the commission to monitor and evaluate the
implementation of the measures taken by the government.
This campaign is ongoing. ABUCO and its partners are now calling
for a thorough audit of the company which distributes water and
electricity for the whole country. They are also asking for a
dialogue between the public authorities and the civil society
organisations.
Consumer justice and protection is a priority programme for CI
as part of the Your Rights,
Our Mission | Strategy 2015.
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