The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is increasingly receiving high-quality reports in which residents are informed about possible illegalities observed at workplaces, which indicates an increase in citizens’ awareness of the purpose of the Whistleblowing Law and the nature of the whistleblower’s report, representatives of the KNAB told LETA.
From May 1, 2019 to the first quarter of 2024, KNAB received 297 reports that were presented as whistleblower reports, and 94 of them were recognized as whistleblower reports. Most often, whistleblowers report to KNAB about the possible conflict of interests of state officials.
The Whistleblower Protection Regulation provides for several types of whistleblowing. Residents can raise an alarm using the workplace’s internal reporting mechanisms, as well as by contacting the competent institution or the contact point for whistleblowers – the State Chancellery. In order to facilitate the submission of a whistleblower’s report, KNAB created a new online reporting platform and its mobile app version “Report KNAB!” last year with the support of European Economic Area grants.
KNAB reminds that discreet reporting is especially important both in the case of whistleblowing and when submitting other violation reports. If citizens have information about possible illegalities in the workplace or in other circumstances, it is preferable not to disclose to other persons their intention to submit a report, but to inform the competent authorities immediately. In the event that whistleblowers have any doubts before submitting a report, KNAB invites them to contact the institution’s contact person in matters of whistleblowing by writing to the e-mail address [email protected] or by calling the phone number 67356161.
KNAB welcomes each whistleblower’s choice not to tolerate violations and thanks them for their involvement in the fight against corruption so far by reporting possible violations of the law in the workplace. KNAB calls on citizens not to remain indifferent and to take a stand against dishonest actions.
Today marks five years since the Law on Whistleblowing came into force, which provides for the possibility for employees to raise the alarm about possible violations observed in the workplace, which could affect wider public interests. During these five years, KNAB has ranked in the leading position among the 44 whistle-blowing competent authorities, which most often receive reports designed as whistle-blower reports.
Photo: Paula Churkste/LETA
