With 357 votes in favour, 46 against and 15 abstentions, the Chamber yesterday approved the law on whistleblowing. The measure protects employees who report wrongdoing in companies, whether public or private.

The new law provides for identity protection, as well as guarantees against retaliation and discrimination, for those who report crimes or irregularities at work. Specifically, an employee who reports unlawful conduct to the ANAC (National Anti-Corruption Authority) or to the judicial authorities, of which they have become aware through their employment, cannot be disciplined, demoted, fired, transferred, or subjected to any other organizational measure that could have negative consequences.

The whistleblower's identity cannot be revealed. And if the employee is discriminated against, the employer will have the burden of proving that the measures taken were motivated by reasons unrelated to the whistleblowing.

The law, however, also has some weaknesses. It lacks a protection fund to support whistleblowers with legal costs, and there is no full protection of their identity, which could be revealed during legal proceedings. Finally, only partial protections are provided for private sector workers.