AFP
The Asian Development Bank has unveiled new safeguards for whistleblowers in a crackdown on corruptionMANILA — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday unveiled new safeguards for whistleblowers in a crackdown on corruption.
The Manila-based ADB, which offers multi-million-dollar loans and grants to developing countries, said it would protect the identities of workers and those outside the organisation worried about reprisals for reporting misconduct.
"ADB does not tolerate corruption in any form. By improving the information and protections available to whistleblowers and others who also provide evidence of misconduct, ADB is strengthening its ongoing efforts to combat fraud and corruption," said ADB anti-corruption chief Peter Pedersen.
"Individuals who come forward with information will receive protection from any retaliation due to their decision to report that information," the bank added.
Contractors, consultants and project beneficiaries would be covered by the new policies, the ADB said.
The ADB has been stepping up efforts to cut down on misuse of its funds and resources. In 2008, it sanctioned 41 firms and 38 individuals for corruption.
The institution provided more than 11 billion dollars in loans and grants last year to Asian countries, many of which are rife with corruption.
A survey released last year by Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) found that many of the developing Asian countries scored from 6.70 to 8.32 in a scale where zero is the least corrupt and 10 the most.
Many of the poorest Asian countries like Cambodia and Laos were not even included in the survey.
1 comment:
Protection for whistleblower is foremost if the world and nations really want to crack down on corruption. But without efficient and effective protection and punishment for those who harm whistlblowers, such protection has the strength of a paper umbrella in a hurricane.
I was a whistleblower in a high profile judicial bribery investigation in the USA. I continue to suffer retaliation even though my former attorney and judge were convicted and are serving ten year sentences. There are no protections for judicial whistleblowers and many others even though the US claims it stands as an example for whistleblower protection.
Without enforcement and broadening the protection, the promises in this article are moral candy meant to entice whistleblowers to report corruption but offering no protective substance.
See my website for my story, whistleblower news, resources http://www.nancyswan.com
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