Establishing mechanisms and procedures for implementing an effective whistleblowing framework in the Maltese public service

Abstract

Public administrators around the world have long been introducing mechanisms for setting and institutionalising standards for good governance. Such mechanisms include the right of protected disclosure of official wrongdoing, referred to as the Protection of the Whistleblower. In the light of the enactment of the Protection of the Whistleblower Act, this study aims to investigate and evaluate how the provisions of the Protection of the Whistleblower Act are being implemented in the Maltese Public Service. The study is carried out through three objectives: (1) exploring the literature and theoretical implications of existing models; (2) investigating current mechanisms and procedures for whistleblowing and carrying out an assessment of current practices in the Maltese Public Service; (3) propose a framework of understanding identifying lacunas and possible improvements on the current model. Through the research findings it emerges that there are lacunae in the legislative framework, as well as deficiencies in the policy-making process, especially in the formulation and implementation stages. The study also found that among public officers there is a lack of awareness about the provisions of the Protection of the Whistleblower Act. The research concludes that there has not been a holistic approach to the implementation of the Protection of the Whistleblower Act in the Maltese Public Service. This is mostly attributed to the inconsistent information and the lack of guidance, education and training programmes to inform public officers on the implementation of the policy and the mechanisms and procedures in place for whistleblowing. This implies that the Maltese Public Service is in need of a change in organisational culture, which change has prospects in elements of transformational leadership, education and training.