Members of European Parliament looking to enact EU-wide protections for whistleblowers suffered a setback last week, as the European Commission signaled it will not move forward with the proposal at this time.
Members of parliament had included whistleblower protections in an organized crime and corruption package approved during its plenary session Oct. 23. MEPs called on counterparts in the European Commission, which initiates new laws, to submit legislation by the end of the year to establish “an effective and comprehensive” European whistleblower program. The program would apply to both the public and private sectors, and protect individuals who detect irregularities and report cases of either national or cross-border corruption which relate to EU financial interests. The program noted the difficult conditions under which such whistleblowers often have to live, whether due to retaliation, physical separation from family or home, or professional exclusion. MEPs also called on member states to enact appropriate and effective protection for whistleblowers.
