On 09 December 2022, Italy’s Council of Ministers approved the decree-law transposing the European Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of whistle-blowers. The text will extend the scope of the current norms, in terms of those to be protected, the companies affected, and the violations reported. Whistle-blowing channels and procedures will have to respect clearly defined criteria. Lastly, an external reporting channel will be set up with the National Anti-Corruption Authority
The decree, which has been set on the parliamentary pathway to the statute books, standardises procedures in the private and public sectors, and represents a step forward from the current legislation. The new standards apply to all private sector companies with more than 50 employees. Whistle-blower protection will be extended from just employees to self-employed workers, consultants, interns, shareholders and members of companies’ boards of directors.
Do you have information to share with us?
Article authors
Hélène Martinelli
Freelance