The European Union is drawing attention to the importance of whistleblowers and the safeguards countries must adopt to encourage reporting violations of law. On March 6, the EU Court of Justice fined five countries for their lack of rules protecting whistleblowers, who are critical sources in revealing fraud, data breaches, tax evasion, and other misconduct.

The fines break down as follows: 34 million euros to Germany, 2.3 million euros to the Czech Republic, 1.75 million euros to Hungary, and up to 500,000 million euros to Estonia and Luxembourg.

In 2019, EU countries introduced rules mandating implementation of whistleblower channels inside companies to confidentially report misconduct, including breaches of EU legislation. There are laws to defend whistleblowers from retaliation, reprisals, and issues like litigation.

The law states: “By reporting breaches of Union law that are harmful to the public interest, such persons act as ‘whistleblowers’ and thereby play a key role in exposing and preventing such breaches and in safeguarding the welfare of society… However, potential whistleblowers are often discouraged from reporting their concerns or suspicions for fear of retaliation.”

Such rules pertain to EU law violations in nuclear safety, food and product safety, environmental protection, taxation, money laundering, and data protection.

Whistleblower partner Marlene Koury said: “Whistleblowers are not just important in the United States. Voicing misconduct is of global importance, hence the recent example we’re seeing with the EU’s recent court decision and fines. Greater awareness abroad of the importance of whistleblowing also benefits us here in the United States, as one does not need to be a citizen or resident of the United States to become a whistleblower here.”

If you believe you have information on misconduct, want to learn more about what it means to be a whistleblower, or if you are an international whistleblower hoping to bring claims under U.S. whistleblower laws, please contact us. We will connect you with an experienced member of the Constantine Cannon whistleblower team for a free and confidential consultation.

Read Fines for Fails: Germany and More EU Countries Face Fines for Failing to Protect Whistleblowers at constantinecannon.com