Protection for whistleblowers


The European Parliament and the Council, representing EU member states, have reached agreement on new rules to protect whistleblowers.


The package of measures, which includes a directive, introduces common basis protection for whistleblowers across the EU. The key elements include: 


• a requirement that all companies with more than 50 employees and most public authorities must have clear internal procedures to handle whistleblowers’ reports; 


• a three-tier reporting system, with whistleblowers able to report internally, to the competent authorities and finally to the public, depending on the circumstances; and

• a guarantee that whistleblowers will be protected against dismissal, demotion and other forms of retaliation.

In addition, national governments will be required to publicise the new protections available to whistleblowers.


The new arrangements, which are set to be formally approved in the next few weeks, have been welcomed by Esther Lynch, confederal secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), particularly because they do not include an obligation to use the internal reporting procedures first. 


“It’s too early to say that this directive is a game changer,” she said.“


But, she added, “it could bring about a big improvement in exposing wrong-doing and protecting whistleblowers from retaliation”.

https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2019/03/15/better-protection-of-whistle-blowers-council-confirms-agreement-with-parliament

https://www.etuc.org/en/pressrelease/start-culture-change-whistleblowers