The Netherlands

Dutch build a House for Whistleblowers

Published on 18 December 2014 at 18:24

The Netherlands will be the first country in Europe to establish an independent shelter for its whistleblowers, announces De Volkskrant. The House for Whistleblowers will offer legal protection to employees who denounce abuse in the private and public sectors, and it will also investigate reports of wrongdoing. Although it will be completely independent, the House will receive around €3.5m per year from the Dutch government.

According to Ronald van Raak, member of the Socialist Party (SP) and author of the bill currently under discussion, “people who leak abuses are currently left to fend for themselves, while they often do society a favour.” In the future, they can find help at the House for Whistleblowers, and “as long as the investigation is ongoing, they can’t be fired.” One of the immediate causes for the bill was the case of Ad Bos, who became “penniless” and lived in a camper van after he denounced price-fixing practices in the building industry.

The House will enjoy wide powers to investigate, especially when it comes to the public sector. Government institutions have to fully cooperate to grant access to the investigators. But there are fears it will be more difficult to investigate private companies.

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