Source: tweedekamer.nl
A new draft law on whistleblower protection is currently under consideration in parliament in The Netherlands. The Bill would implement the EU Directive on Whistleblowing (2019/1937) which must be fully transposed into Dutch national law by the end of the year.
The Report of the Standing Committee of the Interior on it’s finding on the examination of Bill which would introduce amendments to bring the current legislation in the Netherlands the “House for Whistleblowers Act and any other laws” in line with the minimum standards of the Directive was published on the 01 October 2021. The next step is for the Bill to undergo debate in Parliament.
However, NGO Transparency International Netherlands (TI-NL) contributed to the Parliamentary discussions on the Bill as a civil society experts feedback and have recommended that due to the minimal or ‘verbatim’ approach of the current proposal that the Bill be sent back to the Minister of Internal Affairs for revision.
Many experts who presented at the preceding round table discussions on the current Bill seem to be in agreement that the coalition parties should submit a motion requesting to rewrite the Bill. TI-NL have been clear in their analysis of the transposition process that it is important that the Government prioritise quality over speed and rushing to meet the approaching deadline.
The deadline for the Directive to be fully transposed into all EU Member States countries is 17 December 2021.