Strengthened Whistleblower Protection Policy in Fiji’s Finance Industry
The Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) has recently updated its whistleblower protection policy to encourage members of the public and staff to report fraudulent acts, unethical behavior, and breaches of legislation and policies. This revised policy aims to create a secure environment for individuals to come forward with information that can help prevent or investigate financial irregularities.
New Whistleblower Reporting Form
The revised policy introduces a new Whistleblower Reporting Form that must be filled out with relevant details to evaluate the credibility of referrals. The form is designed to gather essential information about the reported incident, including:
- Description of the incident
- Date and time of the incident
- Location of the incident
- Names and contact information of witnesses (if applicable)
- Attachments (e.g., documents, images, videos)
Submitting Reports
The public can submit reports in three ways:
- Fill out the Whistleblower Reporting Form online and email it to WBInfo@frcs.org.fj
- Download the form from the FRCS website and send it back to the service’s email address or deliver it in a sealed envelope to the Chief Executive Officer at the FRCS Complex
- Lodge complaints directly through the dedicated email group, WBInfo@frcs.org.fj
Confidentiality and Investigation Process
The FRCS assures that all whistleblower referrals will be treated with confidentiality. Proper governance procedures will be followed to expedite the investigation process. Additionally, a financial reward mechanism has been established for successful tax and duty recovery as a result of a whistleblower referral.
Contact Information
For any queries on this policy update, members of the public can contact:
- Mr Ilaisa Lakepa at 3243-164 or mobile 9458030
- Email: ilakepa@frcs.org.fj
- Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms Fay Yee, announced the revised policy on October 11th, 2021.
By strengthening its whistleblower protection policy, the FRCS aims to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in Fiji’s finance industry.