Italy’s Revenue Agency introduces whistleblower law

Ms. Ilaria Petracca's picture
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Italian tax officials can report corruption and misconducts within the Revenue Authority under new whistleblowing procedures. The measures, inspired by rules already in place in the United States and other countries, are set out in a short ad hoc booklet distributed to employees. The message, announcing the new stance of the Tax Agency is: "Us against corruption". This is what has been issued by Ms Rossella Orlandi, Director of the Revenue Agency, in a covering note aiming at reassuring employees feeling compelled to blow the whistle on colleagues. First of all, as explained by the note, all reports would be made under condition of anonymity. Secondly, a potential whist blower would receive an appropriate protection against possible backlash. The Director emphasized that "The employee who makes a report cannot be considered as an informant but must be recognized as a precious and valuable collaborator".