The consumer council of Fiji is concerned that traders are engaged in price gouging to take advantage of Fijians receiving assistance under the government’s home care initiative.

The homecare initiative was rolled out by government to aid Fijians who lost household items or whose homes were destroyed in TC Josie and Keni.

Fijians who qualified for the assistance received cards loaded with up to seven thousand dollars to purchase materials to repair homes and replace possessions.

Council Chief Executive, Premila Kumar says the council has received three complaints where the traders increased the price of the goods after the initiative was rolled out.

Kumar says the council is currently conducting price survey and will name traders involved in price gouging.

Meanwhile the council is advising traders that the practice is not only considered exploitative but unethical and illegal.