The Knesset plenum approved the Whistleblower Protection Act on Tuesday, which is aimed at providing legal protection to anyone who uncovers and reports corruption in the workplace.
The bill was brought before the House by MK Shelly Yacimovich (Labor-Meimad) and MK Arieh Eldad (National Union-NRP). It is said to shield whistleblower from being fired, passed up for promotion or any other kind of professional detriment by their employers.
The new act also stipulates that any employer found guilty of harming whistleblowers would face up to three years in prison. An employee can also sue for damages of up to NIS 50,000 ($15,000). Should the court find an employer guilty of numerous count of professional detriment, it can award the plaintiff damages of up to NIS 500,000 ($147,000).
MK Yacimovich welcomed the Knesset decision, saying "this is a revolutionary act which protects employees from being persecuted, fired or ostracized.
"This act will make sure that anyone brave enough to come forward and report corruption in the workplace would be completely protected from any harm, and would be compensated should any such harm be inflicted," she said.
The act she added, will also serve "as a warning sign to anyone who wants to whitewash corruption or terrorize those who expose it."
MK Eldad reiterated: "This act will protect anyone willing to risk social damnation in order to expose corruption. It will be the shield protecting the honor and livelihood of the good guys who dare fight evil."
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