Albania proposes stronger whistleblower protections, prioritizing tenders and EU funds

The Albanian government has introduced a new draft law on whistleblowing, aimed at offering legal protection to workers who report legal violations and corruption in both the public and private sectors. The bill, titled “On Whistleblowing and the Protection of Whistleblowers,” has been submitted to Parliament and emphasizes a more robust system for receiving and handling reports, especially in high-risk areas like public procurement and the management of EU funds.

Why is this important: The new legislation strengthens the current legal framework, aligning it with EU standards. It provides clear safeguards for employees against retaliation, including dismissal, demotion, pay cuts, or workplace harassment. The focus on procurement—highlighted as a sector with elevated corruption risk—comes amid ongoing efforts to increase transparency in the use of public and EU resources.

Key points from the draft law:

• All public institutions and private entities with over 50 employees must establish internal reporting structures.
• Whistleblowers will have access to both internal and external reporting channels.
• Institutions handling procurement are required to prioritize and act on reports involving tender irregularities, conflicts of interest, favoritism, or documentation fraud.
• Reports related to the misuse of EU funds will receive special attention.
• Breaches of confidentiality or retaliation against whistleblowers will be penalized with fines ranging from 100,000 to 500,000 ALL.
• False or malicious reports will also be punishable.

If passed, the draft will replace the current 2016 law and introduce stricter obligations and sanctions. The aim is to encourage a culture of accountability and protect individuals who expose misconduct, reinforcing Albania’s commitment to rule of law and EU integration.