In July 2007 the government with great fanfare published a White Paper entitled 'Towards Greater Transparency and Accountability' which, among other things, proposed the introduction of a Whistleblower Act. However, so far, this proposal has remained on (white) paper, which, given the length of time it has been shelved, has already started yellowing.
Why propose something and then leave it shelved for so long? Or could it be that the government is reluctant to enact this law for fear of being inundated with cases to investigate, considering that even without this Act, corruption is so conspicuous and rampant?
According to a recent newspaper report, when some employees of the VAT department were asked if they noticed any wrongdoing, one of them said: "Some employees would be seen picking up a VAT return form from businessmen round the corner from the department building and filling it in on their behalf... it's not conclusive proof of any wrongdoing but we knew there was something suspect about it."
Asked whether any of these observations were formally reported to the department's management, the employees said it was unlikely that anyone reported anything.
"People there go to work, do their bit and go home. I don't expect anyone would have gone out of his way to flag something like this... there's nothing to gain and everything to lose. Plus, there was no conclusive proof, so you're likely just to get the stick after reporting it."
Since we are still without a Whistleblower Act, these employees were wise not to disclose wrongdoing, as otherwise they would have just got the 'stick', and we say this through experience.
Back in 2001, inspired by what then Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami used to say, namely that "he who knows of corruption and does not speak up is himself corrupt", we decided to inform the authorities (then Foreign Minister Joe Borg) about alleged wrongdoing within the Voice of the Mediterranean radio station.
Dr Borg told us he would immediately launch an investigation, and that we would be called to help; however, no investigation was called and we got the 'stick'.
We experienced harassment, lost our jobs and an Industrial Tribunal decision in our favour delivered in February 2004 has not yet been honoured.
That is why, as long as we are still without a Whistleblower Act, it is best to remain silent. But then is this not sowing the seeds for omertà (conspiracy of silence) to thrive, and who would stand to gain from this if not the corrupt?
It would be interesting to know the opposition's stand on the Whistleblower Act.