Source: whistleblowingnetwork.org
New analysis from Transparency International has found that most EU countries, including Belgium, do not conform to the minimum requirements of the EU Directive.
The new Report – ‘How well do EU countries protect whistleblowers: Assessing the transposition of the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive’ – scrutinises the new whistleblower protection laws adopted in 20 EU member states against the minimum requirements of the Directive and international best practice principles, finding that 19 of the 20 reviewed countries do not comply with EU requirements in at least one of four key areas. These include the rights of whistleblowers to report information directly to the authorities, access remedies and full compensation for damage suffered, obtain free and easily accessible advice, and ensuring proper penalties for those violating the protection provisions.
The report highlights positive and negative elements of the new wave transposition laws, in Belgium highlighting that whilst there are now extensive support measures for whistleblowers and two new independent authorities with oversight and enforcement responsibilities, there was a fragmented material scope and limited redress in the case of retaliation.
The EU Commission is currently developing a conformity assessment by which it will benchmark Member States compliance with the Directive, passed in 2019.
The report can be read in full here.