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Less than 24 hours after Colombia’s congress approved an anti-contraband law, tens of thousands of shop owners and employees took to the streets claiming the law seeks to monopolize imports and hurt small and medium-size retailers.
The law that was approved on Tuesday seeks stronger penalties for those who sell contraband or pirate merchandise, with penalties up to 16 years in prison.
Trade Minister Cecilia Alvarez called the new law “an important achievement for Colombia’s industry.”
“The philosophy of the anti-contraband law is to really combat the criminal contraband trader and facilitate the livelihood of those selling merchandise,” Santiago Rojas of Colombia’s tax office DIAN told Caracol Radio.
Also President Juan Manuel Santos and Finance Minister Mauricio Cardenas jumped in to defend the law, claiming the new law “is not against the small business owner. This is against people who sell contraband.”
However, the approval of the law enraged tens of thousands of shop owners across Colombia who depend on contraband or pirate merchandise that, in spite of being illegal, provides poor and lower-class Colombians with products like shoes and clothing that would not be affordable for them without piracy.
Moreover, they claim the law leaves the right to import goods to a handful of monopolists.
Consequently, four million shopkeepers across the country will be barred from importing merchandise, according to retail federation Fesacol.
Anti-contraband law enrages Colombia s shopkeepers tens of thousands shut business in protest-Today Colombia - News on Colombia Business News Opinion Sports Entertainment and More
But, they aren't against the law. They just want equal conditions.
The law that was approved on Tuesday seeks stronger penalties for those who sell contraband or pirate merchandise, with penalties up to 16 years in prison.
Trade Minister Cecilia Alvarez called the new law “an important achievement for Colombia’s industry.”
“The philosophy of the anti-contraband law is to really combat the criminal contraband trader and facilitate the livelihood of those selling merchandise,” Santiago Rojas of Colombia’s tax office DIAN told Caracol Radio.
Also President Juan Manuel Santos and Finance Minister Mauricio Cardenas jumped in to defend the law, claiming the new law “is not against the small business owner. This is against people who sell contraband.”
However, the approval of the law enraged tens of thousands of shop owners across Colombia who depend on contraband or pirate merchandise that, in spite of being illegal, provides poor and lower-class Colombians with products like shoes and clothing that would not be affordable for them without piracy.
Moreover, they claim the law leaves the right to import goods to a handful of monopolists.
Consequently, four million shopkeepers across the country will be barred from importing merchandise, according to retail federation Fesacol.
Anti-contraband law enrages Colombia s shopkeepers tens of thousands shut business in protest-Today Colombia - News on Colombia Business News Opinion Sports Entertainment and More
But, they aren't against the law. They just want equal conditions.
