Filenews 21 January 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
The Parliament yesterday passed one of the three bills, which are expected to strike at corruption in Cyprus. They voted in a bill protecting people who report acts, known as whistleblowers.
The bill, which was led by MP Irene Charalambidou, who submitted a law proposal five years ago, protects employees who have information about acts of corruption of their superiors, in case they proceed to a complaint. The Minister of Justice and Public Order, Stefi Drakou, expressed her satisfaction with the passage of the bill yesterday.
In a statement, she said that with the passage of the bill for the protection of persons who report violations of the law and in particular possible acts of corruption, a powerful safety mechanism is created, with the aim of encouraging employees to report and give relevant information they acquire in their working environment. As of today, she said, workers in Cyprus who proceed with complaints to the competent authority will enjoy full protection. No person shall be subject to retaliation, including dismissal, harassment and negative change in their working conditions.
This bill is one of three on the broader fight against corruption effort, which is expected to create a strong framework for enhanced transparency. Currently pending in parliament are the bills concerning the establishment and operation of the Independent Authority against Corruption and transparency in public decision-making procedures (the well-known for the lobby).
The whistleblowers bill is a result of the efforts of the members of the House Committee on Legal Affairs. The Minister of Justice stressed the cooperation and the climate of goodwill shown by the parliamentary parties, voting in favour of the bill and wished that the two other bills pending before the Parliament would be voted on, in order to create a comprehensive legal framework against corruption.
