Turkey‘s Ministry of Trade has launched an investigation following consumer complaints against restaurants and cafes that allegedly demand a minimum spend or consumption of 1,500 liras (around 40 euros) from their customers, a practice that is not only unethical but also completely illegal, as denounced by consumer associations and experts.
Turkish media reported that Turkish Trade Minister Mahmut Gürcan posted on social media that his ministry has already launched an investigation into complaints and reports of these practices, which he said are a ‘blatant violation of consumer rights, distort the proper functioning of the market and go against the business ethics and legal trade regulations in our country’.
‘The ministry has immediately initiated an audit process to investigate these illegal activities,’ said Gürcan, who warned that those businesses found to be engaging in such practices will face not only heavy fines, but also possible criminal proceedings for breaking the law: ’There will be no leniency for violators. Protecting the rights of our consumers remains one of our ministry’s top priorities,’ he stressed.
The minister further called on citizens to report any similar incidents directly to the Turkish Trade Ministry through the 175 consumer hot line: ‘All complaints will be examined in detail, and immediate action will be taken to resolve them,’ the minister assured. According to the Turkish press, many of the complaints against restaurants and cafes that demand a minimum consumption from their customers have been registered in Istanbul.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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