“Challenges for improving the legal framework for protection of whistblowers in the Macedonian legislation”

Abstract

The paper deals with the Macedonian legal framework for the protection of whistleblowers, emphasizing the "weak points" in the implementation of the law and by-laws. A brief overview of the basic features of the Macedonian system for the protection of whistleblowers has been made, especially in the part of types of whistleblowing as well as the forms of protection of whistleblowers. A comparison is made of specific legal solutions with the acts of the European Union and the Council of Europe, and potential solutions for improving the legal framework for the protection of whistleblowers are presented. Reports of relevant institutions are analyzed and the "weak points" in the legal framework are presented through the analysis.     A special aspect is devoted to the protection of whistleblowers in legal entities in the private sector, that is, to the vagueness of legal decisions, the existence of legal gaps and the need for full regulation of specific issues. The improvement of the legal framework for the protection of whistleblowers combined with taking measures to strengthen public awareness are factors for a better practical application of the Macedonian regulation for the protection of whistleblowers. Whistleblowers are one of the strongest anti-corruption instruments, while the effective fight against corruption is a prerequisite for building a legal state, rule of law, respect for human rights, economic prosperity, stability and security.