Restaurants and cafés operating in the country have been warned against raising the prices of meal unless without prior approval from the Ministry of Economy.
“This warning came after the Department of Consumer Protection received many complaints from consumers that restaurants hiked the prices of meals over the last period,” a ministry official told Arabic daily Emarat Al Youm.
The ministry urged restaurants to revert back to previous prices in order to avoid legal action for violations.
“The ministry would undertake to carry out an detailed study to identify the reason for the increase and take necessary action in this regard,” said Dr Hachim Al Nuaimi, Director Department of Consumer Protection in the Ministry of Economy, during a meeting with owners of restaurants and cafes in the country.
“The ministry is very keen to support the rights of consumers and protect them from any abuses and illegal practices,” Dr Al Nuaimi said.
He sought the commitment of the owners of restaurants to cancel the service charges from the bills pursuant to resolutions of the Supreme Committee for Consumer Protection in this regard.
The ministry official also urged consumers to report on restaurants and cafes, which raise the prices of food and beverages.
“The ministry fixed in collaboration with local departments listed prices of meals in restaurants and cafes, before cancelling the service charges, to avoid restaurants raising their prices in lieu of service charges,” he said.
“According to studies conducted by the ministry, the decision to cancel the service charge did not affect the profits of restaurants, so the increase in prices of meals in restaurants and cafes is unjustified,” Dr Al Nuaimi said.
Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.
