Whistleblowing Law Called For

Thursday, 29 June 2023 10:39

Jersey's government should introduce a whistleblowing law, according to one deputy.

Deputy Carina Alves is bringing a States vote demanding legal protection and compensation for whistleblowers.

She says its an area that is lacking, unlike in the UK where an employee can be remunerated for loss of income and reputation if they disclose illegal, unjust or harmful actions in their workplace.

She says it would be a step to encouraging openness and transparency without fear of reprisal.

"Although policies are in place for Government as a whole and local organisations can choose to put a whistleblowing procedure in place internally (and are encouraged and recommended to do so by the Jersey Financial Services Commission, who also have a special whistleblowing hotline) there are no legal measures in place to protect and compensate whistle-blowers, for example from loss of employment, after a disclosure, unlike in the UK, and this has caused great concern."

The Reform deputy cites examples of whistleblowers who have reported that their lives were destroyed because they spoke out.

"Given the publicity surrounding the negativity faced by whistle-blowers... what would motivate an individual to blow the whistle when faced with loss of income and loss of reputation?”

The proposition asks the Chief Minister to bring forward a law for approval by the Assembly before June 2024.