SaS: Voice-SD Proposal to Undermine Reporting of Corruption

Bratislava, 13 November (TASR) – A draft amendment to the Whistleblower Protection Act sponsored by the coalition Voice-SD party would undermine the reporting of anti-social or unlawful conduct, MP Ondrej Dostal (SaS) warned at a press conference on Thursday. According to Dostal, the proposed amendment stipulates that a whistleblower would receive protection only if their report concerned their direct employer. "Protection would be limited only to cases in which the employer is suspected, not when the suspect is a supplier, business partner or a person affiliated with the employer, but solely the employer. If this law is passed, protection will be granted to a smaller and narrower group of whistleblowers, and as a result, fewer people will come forward with reports," he stated. Dostal also pointed to other proposed changes, including provisions allowing employers to appeal against the granting of whistleblower protection and to request a review of the reasons for protection every six months. He warned that such measures could further discourage people from reporting misconduct. He also noted that Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) has previously attempted to introduce a similar amendment, suggesting that the proposal probably originated from the Interior Ministry rather than Voice MPs themselves. Coalition MPs from Voice-SD have submitted to Parliament an amendment to the Act on the Protection of Whistleblowers of Anti-Social Activities. Among other changes, the proposal would allow a whistleblower to receive protection only if the report directly concerns their employer. The proponents argue that, under current legislation, the rights of employers are "significantly" restricted when whistleblower protection is granted. mf/df