Restaurants told to stop adding service charges

All resturants and cafes must immediately stop adding any service charges to their consumer bills in compliance with the decision of the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection, said Mohammed Ahmed bin Abul Aziz Al-Shehhi, Director-General of the Ministry of Economy.

At a meeting with representatives of economic development departments, Al Shehhi confirmed that it was illegal for non-tourist restaurants to add service charges.

Restaurants and cafes operating inside hotels and those paying taxes to the local governments are the only exception, he said, adding that field inspection teams will ensure eliminating any violations of Consumer Protection Law Number 24/ 2006.

He said all relevant departments are fully prepared to enforce the cancellation of illegal service charges added to the bills by restaurants in the UAE.

Upon receiving a barrage of complaints about surcharges from consumers nation-wide, the said committe earlier last month discussed the issue of illegal service charges of five to 20 per cent imposed on bills by most restaurants and cafes in the country.

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