PS: Presented Reasons for Changes in Whistleblower Protection Don't Hold Up

Bratislava, 4 December (TASR) - The presented reasons why changes should be made to the protection of whistleblowers don't bear scrutiny, and the system won't be any cheaper when the Whistleblowers Protection Office (UOO) is scrapped and a new Victims of Crime and Whistleblower Protection Office is set up, stated opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) MP Lucia Plavakova on Thursday during the House debate on the draft bill, which is currently at its second reading. "The reality is that it's never been shown that UOO has acted contrary to the law. If you have any evidence, bring it up," said Plavakova, adding that it's been "quite the opposite, as lawful procedure on the part of UOO has been confirmed by the courts". She also said that Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) has a conflict of interest because he was fined by UOO and lost a lawsuit against it. According to Plavakova, the opposition will submit three amendments, with the first aiming to reverse the entire process and keep UOO in existence. Via the second amendment, it will seek to postpone the bill's entry into force because employees aren't prepared for the new agenda, while the government hasn't addressed the staffing of the new office. With its third amendment, the opposition wants to ensure that the provision transferring the agenda concerning victims of crime is removed from the bill. jrg/df