Even though the Ministry of Finance has granted approval for Estonia's so-called whistleblowers bill that aims to protect people who report professional violations, Minister Mart Võrklaev criticized taking the execution of the directive beyond what the EU has prescribed and pointed out that the Tax and Customs Board is already working at capacity to verify incoming tips.
Minister of Justice Kalle Laanet in late May sent out for approval a bill to protect people who covertly report violations in public sector agencies and private companies with more than 50 employees.
Võrklaev wrote in a letter to the Justice Ministry that while the Ministry of Finance has approved the bill, it considers certain provisions insensible in their current form. For example, the bill introduces few filters for applicable violations, meaning that protection of whistleblowers is applied when reporting whichever tips regarding work relationships.
"It seems to us that the EU directive is being applied in a much more onerous manner than what the directive involves. At the same time, there is nothing to suggest this more stringent execution could result in better protection for people reporting violations," Võrklaev said.
He repeated the Finance Ministry's proposal of limiting applicable violations to cross-border tax law.
"The EU directive is not aimed squarely at boosting domestic tax norms but rather aims to promote lawful behavior in the wider single market context," the minister explained.
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