In the regions of Latvia, the activity of implementing internal alarm systems is low, it was concluded in the study of the association “Sabiedrība par obtraktību – Delna” (“Delna”).
“Delna” today presented the study “Internal whistle-blowing systems in the regions: private and public sector”, and in the organizations representative Krista Asmuse pointed out that the situation is “sad” because “companies have not implemented whistle-blowing systems” despite the fact that in the country the Whistleblowing Law has been in force since 2019, according to which such a system must be implemented in companies with at least 50 employees. The representative of the organization stated that several companies refused to participate in the “Delnas” study on whistleblowing in the regions, admitting that such a system has not been implemented.
On the other hand, there is a low level of whistle-blowing activity in local government institutions. Most often, reports received in municipalities are from residents or employees who are trying to defend their private interests, not public interests. “It’s an underestimation,” Asmuse said.
In seven out of the eight municipalities surveyed, a lack of understanding of the dual role of the municipality in the whistle-blowing system can be seen. Authorities often do not realize that they are both the competent authorities to which citizens can turn and that they must have an internal whistle-blowing system where whistleblowers are employees.
As for available resources, Asmuse said that information about whistleblowing is mostly only available on municipal websites or in whistleblowing documents. “It is expected that people will actively search for information themselves, analyze regulatory documents. This does not provide easily accessible and comprehensible information for employees,” said the representative of “Delnas”.
The study concluded that, in general, whistle-blowing cases are rarely reported in the regions, but those that are reported highlight the negative experience. Citizens lack faith in the whistleblowing system, that is, there is no confidence that individuals will be protected. This feeling is also facilitated by the fact that there are small collectives of companies and small municipalities where “everyone knows each other”.
It was also concluded that there is currently no common understanding of pseudonymization and anonymous reports. Asmuse said that currently, anonymous reports do not qualify as whistleblower reports, and that should be addressed. Also, there is no common understanding of who is the person entitled to sign the whistleblowing decision. The research highlights the fact that institutions and companies lack strong leadership from the management side, expressing the belief that whistleblowing is in the interests of the institution and the company itself. The study concluded that younger people show a greater desire to defend public interests.
“Delna” recommends companies and local government institutions to organize training on whistleblowing at three levels, namely at the level of management, department heads and employees. In the view of the organization, whistleblowing should be integrated into the internal culture of the common nature site and examples of good practice should be shared. In addition, the involvement of third parties in the handling of whistleblowing reports should be limited and a uniform procedure for handling anonymous reports should be required.
“Delnas” researcher Mārtiņš BirĶelis also outlined what has been done so far in the field of whistleblowing. Birgelis said that in the last five years in the field of whistleblowing in Latvia, the protection of whistleblowers has been achieved in accordance with European Union standards, the legal framework has been codified in one place, the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been recognized, extensive functions have been provided to the State Chancellery, and the public’s attitude towards alarm raising.
“Today we can say that people are acting responsibly, as should be done in a democratic society. The word “stukačs” is no longer appropriate in such discussions where we are talking about the protection of whistleblowers,” said Birgelis.
Eight municipalities and three companies participated in the study “Internal alarm systems in regions: private and public sector”. It was carried out from September 2023 to February 2024.
