Showing posts with label DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION ISSUES EMERGENCY RULE THAT MAKES PRICE GOUGING ILLEGAL FOR ANY ITEM OR SERVICE NEEDED TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION ISSUES EMERGENCY RULE THAT MAKES PRICE GOUGING ILLEGAL FOR ANY ITEM OR SERVICE NEEDED TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND WORKER PROTECTION ISSUES EMERGENCY RULE THAT MAKES PRICE GOUGING ILLEGAL FOR ANY ITEM OR SERVICE NEEDED TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS


The Rule Follows the Department’s Declarations and Expands Protections for Consumers During the Public Health Emergency

   Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Lorelei Salas today announced that the Agency has promulgated an emergency Rule under the City’s Consumer Protection Law that makes price gouging illegal for any personal or household good or any service that is needed to prevent or limit the spread of or treat new coronavirus (COVID-19). The Rule (NYC Administrative Code 20-701(b)) is in effect and makes it illegal to increase prices by 10 percent or more. The Rule follows DCWP’s previous declaration that face masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes are in short supply and expands the Agency’s ability to protect New Yorkers from price gouging.

“Now is the time for us to come together, not take advantage of each other for a profit but we continue to hear about and see empty shelves and price gouging,” said DCWP Commissioner Lorelei Salas. “We are using every tool in our toolbox to protect New Yorkers from price gouging during this public health emergency and I encourage consumers to file a complaint if they are overcharged. I also remind New Yorkers about their right to sick leave and encourage employers to let employees use additional sick leave if necessary so they can take care of themselves and not get coworkers or customers sick.” 



On March 5, the Commissioner declared face masks in short supply and that declaration was extended with the addition of hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes on March 10. The declarations were made under the Rules of the City of New York (6 RCNY §5-38), which allows the commissioner to declare certain items temporarily in short supply for 30 days during extraordinary circumstances.

DCWP has received more than 1,000 complaints about price gouging since the first declaration on March 5. DCWP has also issued more than 550 violations for price gouging for the three items that had been declared temporarily in short supply. DCWP encourages consumers who are overcharged to file a complaint at nyc.gov/dcwp or by contacting 311 and saying “overcharge.” Consumers who believe they were victimized by price gouging should keep their receipts and any information about the store where the transaction occurred, and file a complaint with DCWP. If the price gouging occurred while the declaration was in effect, or after the new rule was enacted, DCWP can still prosecute the illegal activity.

DCWP also reminds New Yorkers that they have the right to sick leave and should use it if they are feeling ill. Under the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, employers with five or more employees who work more than 80 hours per calendar year in New York City must provide paid safe and sick leave to employees. Employers with fewer than five employees must provide unpaid safe and sick leave. Covered employees have the right to use safe and sick leave for the care and treatment of themselves or a family member. Employers may not engage in or threaten retaliation against employees, which includes firing and any act that punishes an employee for or is likely to deter an employee from exercising their rights under the Law. Employers and employees can visit nyc.gov/workers or call 311 (212-NEW-YORK outside NYC) for more information. We also encourage employers to let employees use additional sick leave if necessary so they can take care of themselves and do not get coworkers or consumers sick. Small Business Services provides guidance for Assistance & Guidance for Businesses Impacted Due to Novel Coronavirus, including small business relief.