Whistleblower Protections Lacking Across Globe, Report Finds
A recent report has highlighted a concerning trend among countries, where whistleblowers are often left without adequate protections against retaliation. The report, which reviewed whistleblower laws and procedures across the world, found that many governments and employers are failing to provide sufficient safeguards for individuals who report wrongdoing.
Review of Whistleblower Laws and Procedures
The review process was limited by its constraints, but even so, it revealed several examples of how easy it is for employers to present alternative reasons for their actions, rather than acknowledging retaliation. This approach has been documented in countries such as:
- France
- Norway
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- UK
- US
Inadequate Protections
The report’s findings were based on executive summaries from 20 country reports. While some countries provided little information about their whistleblower laws, others offered more detail.
For example, Finland’s full report explained that its existing system for protecting whistleblowers is limited, relying partly on witness protection measures. However, these measures are not sufficient to protect employees who report wrongdoing. Labour laws may provide protection against dismissal, but do not cover other forms of discrimination.
The report also highlighted concerns about the use of criminal law to punish whistleblowers, rather than providing them with adequate protections.
Efforts to Improve Whistleblower Protections
However, some countries are considering new measures to improve whistleblower protections, while others have already introduced legislation. For example:
- Bangladesh has adopted a new law to provide protection for whistleblowers.
- Australia is developing draft legislation to provide comprehensive public-sector whistleblower protection and improve existing protections in the private sector.
Call to Action
Despite these efforts, the report’s findings suggest that more needs to be done to ensure that whistleblowers are adequately protected. The lack of private sector application was a particular concern, with some countries failing to extend whistleblower protections to employees in the private sector.
The report’s authors emphasized the need for governments and employers to take action to address these concerns and provide adequate safeguards for whistleblowers. Without such protections, individuals who report wrongdoing may face retaliation and even lose their jobs or livelihoods.
Conclusion
As the global community continues to grapple with issues of corruption and accountability, it is essential that we prioritize the protection of whistleblowers who risk everything to speak out against wrongdoing.