ZCTU urges govt to act on rogue businesses

THE Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has called on government to act on businesses refusing to use the official exchange rate in pricing of products and services, thereby prejudicing the consumers and the fiscus.

In a statement ZCTU secretary-general Japhet Moyo said some businesses were not displaying prices in local and foreign currencies as required by the law.

"We urge government to look into how business is operating at the moment with the aim of weeding out the malpractices that we believe are prejudicing both the consumer and the fiscus," Moyo said.

The ZCTU statement comes at a time most businesses are selling their goods in United States dollars and overcharge in local currency where they use a very high exchange rate.

Moyo said they had noted with concern that some businesses were "refusing to stick to the rules of the game by flouting the use of the official rates in the pricing of products and services."

"Some are even refusing to display both prices in RTGS and United States dollars as required by the law. In cases where these prices are displayed, one wonders what sort of rate they would be using," said Moyo.

He said the businesses also issued out dubious receipts, which confused consumers.

Some of them, Moyo said, were not issuing proper receipts.