The Action for Social Justice (ASP) has today proposed an initiative to the Government of Montenegro aimed at enhancing consumer protection. This proposal includes the drafting of a dedicated law on price control measures for the domestic market, taking inspiration from a similar law recently passed in Croatia, a member of the European Union.

The NGO explained that the Croatian Parliament’s approval of this law came in response to consumer protests, during which many had boycotted several retail chains due to soaring product prices.

“While the Government of Montenegro has taken steps to mitigate price increases on approximately 70 consumer goods, the ASP argues that this represents a mere fraction of the market and does not provide substantial protection for consumers against high prices. The effectiveness of these government measures in maintaining living standards and securing citizens’ interests has been minimal,” the statement read.

The ASP highlighted that major retail chains, along with seven of the largest domestic suppliers, reported profits nearing 1.9 billion euros by the end of 2023, illustrating that these sectors are not facing significant business risks.

“Moreover, the Competition Protection Agency has yet to make available any significant analysis or research addressing the causes of the steep price hikes, suggesting a potential failure in fulfilling their responsibilities efficiently,” they added.

“ASP asserts that citizens should not be subjected to monopoly, cartel, or any other inflated pricing structures, and it is crucial for the Government of Montenegro to expeditiously consider implementing a special law on price control measures similar to the Croatian legislation,” the NGO emphasized.

The organization also pointed out that consumers are facing exorbitant drug prices, a persistent issue where prices are significantly higher than in neighboring regions, coupled with an apparent monopoly on the domestic market. Additionally, the issue of excessive interest rates on loans and other banking services presents a considerable challenge.

“It is essential for both the Government of Montenegro and the various parliamentary groups, regardless of their political affiliation, to engage more actively in addressing these concerns. They possess legislative initiative mechanisms that can be utilized for the protection of citizens,” the statement concluded.

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