In Lithuania, the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers has been in force since January 1, 2019, but probably many of you are wondering why whistleblowers must be protected? We will list some of the most important reasons. First of all, whistleblowers are usually people who work in certain positions, perform certain functions, and are the first to learn about infringements that harm the interests of society or the state. The role of the whistleblower is also important for the state from the financial point of view: in 2019-2022, according to the data available to the prosecutor's office upon completion of pre-trial investigations, it was established that EUR 37,957,651 in taxes had not been paid to the state, whereas other types of damage amounted to EUR 48,257,676. Thirdly, it is beneficial for the institutions themselves to identify infringements as soon as possible, because otherwise, if the infringement continues for more than one year, this also increases both the possible fines and the possible damage to the reputation of the institution.
It is therefore essential that when employees become aware of infringements, they should be willing to report them, feel safe and not fear that they will be dealt with.
