The Culture of Boycott: Consumer’s Last Weapon

By: Al-Nayir Al-Yaqoubi
In the face of inaction by judicial authorities in both governments, and those affiliated with the House of Representatives, and the complete absence of any effective role for NGOs and civil society organizations that claim to protect consumers with statements that are merely ink on paper, and in light of the costly carelessness of the state-funded agencies, the citizen breaks his silence to prove that he is capable of protecting himself, and declares himself a watchdog over the markets.
The campaign to boycott eggs and chicken has proven its effectiveness and has made justice to the exhausted citizens through high prices and equations of a chaotic market imposed by greedy merchants who have ignored the pleas of officials. A spontaneous community campaign, without organizing committees or spokespersons, was able in record time to change the laws of greed and turn the tables on those who exploited the needs of the people.
This campaign was not an act of revenge or malice, but a cry in the face of the greed of merchants who do not respect rights or consider people’s circumstances, a cry called for by hearts that have been harmed by the monsters of the markets that have preyed on the middle class and pushed it to the brink of poverty.
There is a vast difference between reasonable profit and insatiable greed, and nothing has brought Libyans to this state of hardship except the corrupt morals of some businessmen and small traders who seek exorbitant wealth by any means.
Therefore, the culture of “boycott” had to be the consumer’s last weapon, to put an end to prolonged suffering, and restore balance to the market. What happened with eggs and chicken may be repeated with other goods if the citizen continues to defend his rights.