The EU Whistle-Blower Protection Directive – Get Prepared!

Whistleblowing in Malta is currently regulated by the Protection of the Whistleblower Act (Chapter 527 of the Laws of Malta), which protects whistleblowers from detrimental action for having raised a legitimate disclosure about an improper practice, including corrupt practices, however, this Act has limited application in that it only applies to certain government entities, voluntary organisations which raise more than €500,000 in donations and public collections and, those few organisations in the private sector that employ more than 250 employees and satisfy a very high threshold in terms of total balance sheet and/or annual turnover.

The European Whistleblower Protection Directive (2019/1937) was enacted in December 2019 and EU Member States, including Malta, have until the 17th December 2021 to transpose the Directive. Employers with more than 250 employees will be required to comply with the new rules immediately upon transposition however, and by way of