The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken significant steps to protect consumer rights by directing ride-hailing giant Ola to implement crucial changes. This directive comes after the CCPA received over 2,000 complaints against the platform from January to October 2024, highlighting issues such as overcharging and delayed refunds as detailed in a report by the Press Trust of India.<o:p></o:p>

Further in an announcement recently, CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare stated that Ola's existing no-questions-asked refund policy was inadequate. The policy only allowed customers to receive coupon codes for future rides, denying them the option for direct bank refunds. The CCPA deemed this practice a violation of consumer rights, asserting that a no-questions-asked policy should not incentivise customers to repeatedly use the service without offering fair compensation.<o:p></o:p>

Brief history of Ola<o:p></o:p>

Ola Consumer, formerly Ola Cabs, is an Indian transportation company that provides ride-hailing services and operates other business verticals such as financial services and cloud kitchens. It is headquartered in Bangalore, and operates in 250+ Indian cities.<o:p></o:p>

Further, a variety of venture capitalists including Softbank have large stakes in the company. In January 2018, Ola extended into its first overseas market, Australia, and launched in New Zealand in September 2018. In March 2019, Ola began its operations in the UK. In April 2024, the company announced that it is exiting all of its international markets to focus on the Indian market. In August 2024, the company rebranded itself into Ola Consumer.<o:p></o:p>

The CCPA's intervention has prompted Ola to make several consumer-friendly changes.

These include,&nbsp;offering clear refund options that allow consumers to choose between coupon codes or direct bank refunds, along with issuing bills or invoices for all auto rides booked through its platform, addressing previous concerns about the lack of documentation which was classified as an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act of 2019.<o:p></o:p>

In addition to these changes, Ola has also improved its customer service by displaying contact details for grievance and nodal officers on its website. The company has made efforts to clarify cancellation policies and fees during the booking process, introduced more options for ride cancellation reasons, and provided a detailed breakdown of fare components.<o:p></o:p>

Furthermore, Ola is now required to show both pickup and drop-off addresses to drivers, enhancing transparency in ride details. The company has also revised payment cycles for drivers to ensure quicker payments, addressing concerns raised by drivers regarding delays.<o:p></o:p>

The CCPA's actions reflect a broader trend of increased scrutiny on digital platforms as they strive to protect consumer interests in the rapidly evolving e-commerce and ride-hailing sectors. With the rise of such services, regulatory bodies are becoming more vigilant in ensuring that companies adhere to legal frameworks designed to safeguard consumer rights.<o:p></o:p>

As Ola implements these changes, it aims to rebuild trust with its users while aligning with regulatory expectations. The CCPA's firm stance serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the digital marketplace.<o:p></o:p>

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The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken significant steps to protect consumer rights by directing ride-hailing giant Ola to implement crucial changes.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has taken significant steps to protect consumer rights by directing ride-hailing giant Ola to implement crucial changes. This directive comes after the CCPA received over 2,000 complaints against the platform from January to October 2024, highlighting issues such as overcharging and delayed refunds as detailed in a report by the Press Trust of India. Further in an announcement recently, CCPA Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare stated that Ola's existing no-questions-asked refund policy was inadequate. The policy only allowed customers to receive coupon codes for future rides, denying them the option for direct bank refunds. The CCPA deemed this practice a violation of consumer rights, asserting that a no-questions-asked policy should not incentivise customers to repeatedly use the service without offering fair compensation. Brief history of Ola Ola Consumer, formerly Ola Cabs, is an Indian transportation company that provides ride-hailing services and operates other business verticals such as financial services and cloud kitchens. It is headquartered in Bangalore, and operates in 250+ Indian cities. Further, a variety of venture capitalists including Softbank have large stakes in the company. In January 2018, Ola extended into its first overseas market, Australia, and launched in New Zealand in September 2018. In March 2019, Ola began its operations in the UK. In April 2024, the company announced that it is exiting all of its international markets to focus on the Indian market. In August 2024, the company rebranded itself into Ola Consumer. The CCPA's intervention has prompted Ola to make several consumer-friendly changes. These include, offering clear refund options that allow consumers to choose between coupon codes or direct bank refunds, along with issuing bills or invoices for all auto rides booked through its platform, addressing previous concerns about the lack of documentation which was classified as an unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act of 2019. In addition to these changes, Ola has also improved its customer service by displaying contact details for grievance and nodal officers on its website. The company has made efforts to clarify cancellation policies and fees during the booking process, introduced more options for ride cancellation reasons, and provided a detailed breakdown of fare components. Furthermore, Ola is now required to show both pickup and drop-off addresses to drivers, enhancing transparency in ride details. The company has also revised payment cycles for drivers to ensure quicker payments, addressing concerns raised by drivers regarding delays. The CCPA's actions reflect a broader trend of increased scrutiny on digital platforms as they strive to protect consumer interests in the rapidly evolving e-commerce and ride-hailing sectors. With the rise of such services, regulatory bodies are becoming more vigilant in ensuring that companies adhere to legal frameworks designed to safeguard consumer rights. As Ola implements these changes, it aims to rebuild trust with its users while aligning with regulatory expectations. The CCPA's firm stance serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the digital marketplace.

Consumer watchdog orders Ola to implement refund options and issue ride receipts

During the pandemic, Lidl, Zara's owners Inditex, H&amp;M, and Next are alleged to have paid Bangladeshi apparel suppliers less than production costs, making it difficult for factories to meet the nation's minimum wage requirements. In a survey of 1,000 clothing manufacturers throughout the nation, 19% of Lidl suppliers, 11% of Inditex, 9% of H&amp;M, and 8% of Next stated that they supplied clothing to UK stores, as reported by the Guardian.&nbsp;

Nearly two years after COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, the majority of suppliers to these four brands as well as Tesco and Aldi told researchers they were still getting paid at the same rates, despite growing raw material and manufacturing expenses in the nation.

In a study conducted by the University of Aberdeen and the UK-based fair trade campaign organisation Transform Trade, also known as Traidcraft Exchange earlier, over half of Primark's suppliers indicated they had not seen a rise in payment rates, and just over a third stated orders had been cancelled.

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According to their study, which looked at the period from March 2020 to December 2021, larger companies that source from 15 or more factories had a higher likelihood of using unethical tactics, such as: payment delays or order cancellations, as opposed to smaller ones. These bigger businesses were participants in the UK's Ethical Trading Initiative, an association of businesses, NGOs, and unions established to enhance connections with suppliers.

Senior policy adviser at Transform Trade, Fiona Gooch, who spoke to the Guardian, advocated for a fashion watchdog to supervise relationships between suppliers and shops selling more than £1 billion worth of goods annually, just like the Grocery Supply Code of Practice does.

“This research is a wake-up call,” she said. “We need a fashion watchdog to stop unacceptable purchasing practices of the clothing retailers benefiting from large consumer markets, along the same lines as existing protections for food suppliers.

“Only when suppliers are able to plan ahead, with confidence that they will earn as expected, can they deliver good working conditions for their workers.”

In a statement&nbsp;within the report, Lidl said it had “committed itself to ensuring minimum wages in its supply chain and to ensuring the sustainable pre-planning of the production of textile goods”.

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It added: “Lidl takes its responsibility towards workers in Bangladesh, and other countries where our suppliers produce, very seriously and is committed to ensuring that core social standards are complied with throughout the supply chain.”

Next said it “completely refutes the suggestion that its suppliers are being paid the same (or less) than before the pandemic”. The company said it had gone on record about rising supplier costs and its profit margins had remained stable while prices for customers had gone up, indicating it had paid suppliers more.

Inditex in its defence said that it has taken part in international initiatives to promote the garment sector, particularly manufacturing employees.

Primark acknowledged that it had been obliged to cancel certain orders when virtually all of its stores had to close for a while due to the pandemic, But,&nbsp;it claimed to have made an effort to help employees.&nbsp;“In April 2020, we established a wages fund in excess of £22m with the aim of supporting suppliers’ ability to pay their workers, and from which Bangladeshi suppliers with garment orders due to be handed over to us within 30 days of the cancellation would have received payment.”

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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During the pandemic, Lidl, Zara's owners Inditex, H&M, and Next are alleged to have paid Bangladeshi apparel suppliers less than production costs, making it difficult for factories to meet the nation's minimum wage requirements.

During the pandemic, Lidl, Zara's owners Inditex, H&M, and Next are alleged to have paid Bangladeshi apparel suppliers less than production costs, making it difficult for factories to meet the nation's minimum wage requirements. In a survey of 1,000 clothing manufacturers throughout the nation, 19% of Lidl suppliers, 11% of Inditex, 9% of H&M, and 8% of Next stated that they supplied clothing to UK stores, as reported by the Guardian. Nearly two years after COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, the majority of suppliers to these four brands as well as Tesco and Aldi told researchers they were still getting paid at the same rates, despite growing raw material and manufacturing expenses in the nation. In a study conducted by the University of Aberdeen and the UK-based fair trade campaign organisation Transform Trade, also known as Traidcraft Exchange earlier, over half of Primark's suppliers indicated they had not seen a rise in payment rates, and just over a third stated orders had been cancelled. Also watch | UK probes Uranium package found in shipment at London's Heathrow Airport According to their study, which looked at the period from March 2020 to December 2021, larger companies that source from 15 or more factories had a higher likelihood of using unethical tactics, such as: payment delays or order cancellations, as opposed to smaller ones. These bigger businesses were participants in the UK's Ethical Trading Initiative, an association of businesses, NGOs, and unions established to enhance connections with suppliers. Senior policy adviser at Transform Trade, Fiona Gooch, who spoke to the Guardian, advocated for a fashion watchdog to supervise relationships between suppliers and shops selling more than £1 billion worth of goods annually, just like the Grocery Supply Code of Practice does. “This research is a wake-up call,” she said. “We need a fashion watchdog to stop unacceptable purchasing practices of the clothing retailers benefiting from large consumer markets, along the same lines as existing protections for food suppliers. “Only when suppliers are able to plan ahead, with confidence that they will earn as expected, can they deliver good working conditions for their workers.” In a statement within the report, Lidl said it had “committed itself to ensuring minimum wages in its supply chain and to ensuring the sustainable pre-planning of the production of textile goods”. Also read | 5 times Athiya Shetty stole clothes from beau KL Rahul's closet It added: “Lidl takes its responsibility towards workers in Bangladesh, and other countries where our suppliers produce, very seriously and is committed to ensuring that core social standards are complied with throughout the supply chain.” Next said it “completely refutes the suggestion that its suppliers are being paid the same (or less) than before the pandemic”. The company said it had gone on record about rising supplier costs and its profit margins had remained stable while prices for customers had gone up, indicating it had paid suppliers more. Inditex in its defence said that it has taken part in international initiatives to promote the garment sector, particularly manufacturing employees. Primark acknowledged that it had been obliged to cancel certain orders when virtually all of its stores had to close for a while due to the pandemic, But, it claimed to have made an effort to help employees. “In April 2020, we established a wages fund in excess of £22m with the aim of supporting suppliers’ ability to pay their workers, and from which Bangladeshi suppliers with garment orders due to be handed over to us within 30 days of the cancellation would have received payment.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

H&M, Zara among brands accused of treating Bangladesh suppliers unfairly, paying less than their cost

US President Donald Trump is concerned about China's unfair trade practices and striving to stop Beijing from such practices and theft of American intellectual property, the White House said today.

The White House statement came a day after it renewed its threat to place 25 per cent tariffs on USD 50 billion in Chinese goods in retaliation of the latter's unfair trade practices.

At the same time, US President Donald Trump is having a "good relationship" with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and both are continuing to have conversations when it comes to North Korea.

"The President continues to have a good relationship with President Xi, but what he is concerned about is making sure he stops the unfair trade practices that China has engaged in for decades stopping the intellectual property theft that China has been engaged in and making sure that we no longer allow China to play on a different playing field than the rest of us," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference

She expressed hope that the two leaders will continue to share a good relationship but added that Trump would not stand for any unfair trade policy.&nbsp;

"He's not going to allow American workers to be taken advantage of. He's going to call that out, and he's going to step up and make those changes," she said in response to a question.

Congressman Drew Ferguson applauded the Trump administration for their decision to place restrictions on China's acquisition of sensitive American technology.

"We must not allow this country to overtake the United States and become a leading power," Ferguson said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce announced the affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China, finding that exporters in China received countervailable subsidies ranging from 12.81 per cent to 94.67 per cent.

As such, the Commerce Department will instruct US Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China based on these preliminary rates.

In 2017, imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China were valued at an estimated USD 22.5 million.&nbsp;

The White House statement came a day after it renewed its threat to place 25 per cent tariffs on USD 50 billion in Chinese goods in retaliation of the latter's unfair trade practices

US President Donald Trump is concerned about China's unfair trade practices and striving to stop Beijing from such practices and theft of American intellectual property, the White House said today. The White House statement came a day after it renewed its threat to place 25 per cent tariffs on USD 50 billion in Chinese goods in retaliation of the latter's unfair trade practices. At the same time, US President Donald Trump is having a "good relationship" with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and both are continuing to have conversations when it comes to North Korea. "The President continues to have a good relationship with President Xi, but what he is concerned about is making sure he stops the unfair trade practices that China has engaged in for decades stopping the intellectual property theft that China has been engaged in and making sure that we no longer allow China to play on a different playing field than the rest of us," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters at her daily news conference She expressed hope that the two leaders will continue to share a good relationship but added that Trump would not stand for any unfair trade policy. "He's not going to allow American workers to be taken advantage of. He's going to call that out, and he's going to step up and make those changes," she said in response to a question. Congressman Drew Ferguson applauded the Trump administration for their decision to place restrictions on China's acquisition of sensitive American technology. "We must not allow this country to overtake the United States and become a leading power," Ferguson said. Meanwhile, the Department of Commerce announced the affirmative preliminary determination in the countervailing duty (CVD) investigation of imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China, finding that exporters in China received countervailable subsidies ranging from 12.81 per cent to 94.67 per cent. As such, the Commerce Department will instruct US Customs and Border Protection to collect cash deposits from importers of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China based on these preliminary rates. In 2017, imports of certain plastic decorative ribbon from China were valued at an estimated USD 22.5 million.

Trump concerned about China's unfair trade practices: White House