The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called for better protection for public sector whistle-blowers, with more effective legislation and protection mechanisms.
Delegates at the Geneva conference heard that protecting Public Service workers, including those working in public sector oversight bodies, was “fundamental to the advancement of decent work, efficient Public Service delivery, as well as a useful tool against corruption”.
The meeting concluded that corruption and other forms of wrongdoing distorted public administration and Government Budgets, leading to the inefficient provision of public services, reduced public investment, less quality work and slower economic growth.
Employers’ Vice-Chair at the ILO, Paul Mckay said protecting whistle-blowers in the public sector would make it easier to detect bribery solicitation, misuse of public funds, waste, fraud, and other forms of corruption across the economy.
“Anti-corruption measures are part of an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises,” Mr McKay said.
Attendees discussed how social dialogue could help identify strategies to strengthen the protection of whistle-blowers and be part of the architecture that protected the impartiality of the public service sector and its workers from undue influence.
Workers’ Vice-Chair, Wim Vandekerckhove said it could also help develop a culture of transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance for corruption and wrongdoing in the sector.
“Governments and social partners recognised there are normative gaps in whistle-blower protection and that social dialogue is the key to design a pathway towards a global normative framework in line with the ILO mandate,” Mr Vandekerckhove (pictured) said.
“We must provide collective action networks to protect whistle-blowers from being isolated or made obvious targets for retaliation.”
Geneva, 17 October 2022
