Rasa Budbergytė, an elder of the Social Democratic Party faction of the Seimas, proposes to oblige merchants to apply discounts and loyalty programs to customers who shop at self-service checkouts. She proposes to supplement the law on the protection of consumer rights with the provision that in cases where a consumer pays at a self-service cash register at a retail outlet, he "has the right to compensation for time and other costs."
R. Budbergytė, who registered the amendments to the law, believes that entrepreneurs themselves should decide on the possible forms and methods of such remuneration, e.g. application of discounts, loyalty programs. If Seimas would agree, information about the fees granted to the buyer would be indicated in the document confirming the settlement.
According to R. Budbergytė, after the adoption of the amendments to the law, the principles of consumer rights protection and fair remuneration for work provided for in the Constitution will be ensured.
"The constitution guarantees everyone a fair wage for work, but the consumer, working in a self-service checkout essentially for the benefit of a businessman and replacing the cashier, does not receive any remuneration for this (...). Such a situation is wrong and leads to violations of consumer rights", says R. Budbergytė in the explanatory note of the document.
In her opinion, the implementation of the new provisions of the law will not cause an unreasonable burden on business.
"Entrepreneurs themselves are left with ample opportunities to implement the new requirement in a way that is acceptable to them. This does not require new investments or complex technological solutions. The new regulation could only positively encourage competition, as entrepreneurs would look for attractive and creative ways to better and more creatively encourage consumers who shop at self-service checkouts", R. Budbergytė believes.
According to her, even currently, stores apply a large number of various discounts and loyalty programs, so the existing programs, in the MP's opinion, can simply be extended to consumers shopping at self-service checkouts.
In the opinion of the social democrat, the excessively rapid growth of the number of self-service cash registers creates conditions for discriminating against less digitally literate residents.
"The increase in the number of self-service checkouts is inconvenient for those consumers who, due to their age, other psychosocial and health characteristics, are less ready to use automated self-service checkouts, they often do not know how to use them properly. However, at regular cash registers, they are forced to spend a much longer time in queues, because there are much fewer such cash registers left," observes R. Budbergytė.
The parliamentarian who prepared the amendments to the law says that self-service checkouts are still in a legal vacuum.
"Legal loopholes regarding consumer rights when paying at self-service checkouts cannot be tolerated. This does not meet the requirement of a high level of protection of consumer rights according to EU law", notes R. Budbergytė in the explanatory note.
It proposes that amendments to the Law on Protection of Consumer Rights enter into force on May 1 next year.
Member of the Seimas A. Bagdonas: this is excessive interference in business activities and people's lives
Liberal Andrius Bagdonas, a member of the Seimas Economic Committee, is critical of this initiative of the social democrat, stressing that it is related to the parliamentary elections.
"As the Seimas elections approach, we will probably hear various proposals that, in my opinion, would not normally be proposed," A. Bagdonas said to Elta, commenting on the project.
According to the politician, this is an excessive desire to regulate business and people's lives.
"The Seimas should make decisions that people need, and this proposal is an excessive desire to interfere in the activities of people and businesses. I would definitely not support such a proposal", said A. Bagdonas, a member of the Liberal Movement faction.
According to him, every buyer has the right to choose when shopping.
"You can stand in a regular queue, where the cashier will serve you, or you can choose a self-service checkout, where you scan the product yourself. You can do that work and leave the shopping center faster. I think the main thing is that everyone should have a choice. The possibility of shopping both at the regular checkout and at the self-service checkout must be ensured. It seems to me that the Seimas should not interfere too much and regulate it," - thinks A. Bagdon.
In his opinion, the Seimas should not deprive businesses of the opportunity to implement new technologies that provide us with more convenient ways to pay for goods.
The politician believes that trade networks, by optimizing the payment for goods, reducing costs, can give us the opportunity to buy goods cheaper.
Ironically, A. Bagdonas noticed that the proposal of social democrat R. Budbergytė also goes beyond common sense.
"Maybe then she can make another offer related to online shopping?" Should a customer who orders products with their computer or phone also be paid for the work they do? It seems to me that it goes beyond common sense,'' said A. Bagdon.
He hopes that other members of the Liberal Movement faction of the Seimas will not support R. Budbergytė's initiative.
Jadvyga Bieliavska (ELTA)
