More than one person in two thinks that corruption has worsened in the last two years. That is according to a public opinion survey on corruption from Transparency International. The anti-corruption pressure group points out that survey participants also firmly believe they can make a difference and have the will to take action against graft.
The Global Corruption Barometer 2013, a survey of 114,000 people in 107 countries, suggests corruption is widespread. Some 27 per cent of respondents have paid a bribe when accessing public services and institutions in the last 12 months, suggesting no improvement from previous surveys.
Still, nearly nine out of 10 people surveyed said they would act against corruption and two-thirds of those who were asked to pay a bribe had refused, suggesting that governments, civil society and the business sector need to do more to engage people in thwarting corruption.
Huguette Labelle, the Chair of Transparency International, said: “Bribe paying levels remain very high worldwide, but people believe they have the power to stop corruption and the number of those willing to combat the abuse of power, secret dealings and bribery is significant.”
The barometer also found that in many countries the institutions people rely on to fight corruption and other crime are themselves not trusted. Some 36 countries view police as the most corrupt, and in those countries an average of 53 per cent of people had been asked to pay a bribe to the police. Some 20 countries view the judiciary as the most corrupt, and in those countries an average of 30 per cent of the people who had come in contact with the judicial systems had been asked to pay a bribe.
Labelle said: “Governments need to take this cry against corruption from their citizenry seriously and respond with concrete action to elevate transparency and accountability. Strong leadership is needed from the G20 governments in particular. In the 17 countries surveyed in the G20, 59 per cent of respondents said their government is not doing a good job at fighting corruption.”
Politicians TI adds have much to do to regain trust. The 2013 Barometer suggests a crisis of trust in politics and real concern about the capacity of those institutions responsible for bringing criminals to justice. In 51 countries around the world political parties are seen as the most corrupt institution. More than half – 55 per cent of respondents think government is run by special interests.
According to TI politicians can lead by example by publishing asset declarations for themselves and their immediate family. Political parties and individual candidates, meanwhile, must disclose where they get their money from to make clear who funds them and to reveal potential conflicts of interest.
Around the world, people’s appraisal of their leaders’ efforts to stop corruption is worse than before the financial crisis began in 2008, when 31 per cent said their government’s efforts to fight corruption were effective. This year it fell to 22 per cent.
“Governments need to make sure that there are strong, independent and well-resourced institutions to prevent and redress corruption. Too many people are harmed when these core institutions and basic services are undermined by the scourge of corruption,” Labelle added.
Meanwhile, Transparency International Ireland (TI Ireland) welcomed the publication of the Protected Disclosures Bill 2013. The Bill will for the first time offer legal protections for workers in Ireland who report concerns about wrongdoing in the public, private and non-profit sectors.
Since 2007, TI Ireland has pointed to an absence of blanket safeguards for whistleblowers as a reason for low levels of reporting in Irish banks, the health service and public bodies. It is now hoped that the safeguards will help create a safer environment in which workers can report wrongdoing and a way for employers and regulators to act on information quickly.
John Devitt, Chief Executive of TI Ireland, said: ‘This could be a hugely important step in the fight against corruption and promotion of good governance in Ireland. With almost half of all cases of fraud and other forms of wrongdoing exposed by whistleblowers, it’s time that they enjoy the protection of the law for acting in the public interest. This legislation will be good for workers, employers and the public. It’s too late to undo the damage done by alleged fraud and recklessness in our banks, but it should help expose future wrongdoing before it spirals out of control’, Mr Devitt added.
TI Ireland has operated a free-phone ‘Speak Up’ helpline for whistleblowers and citizens reporting wrongdoing since 2011. Anonymous data and cases from the helpline and the experience of whistleblowers in the US and UK informed some of the provisions contained in the Bill.
Workers who honestly report concerns about wrongdoing will be entitled to seek redress for unfair dismissal as well as discrimination or harassment. Family members and colleagues of whistleblowers may also take legal action for any retaliation suffered by them as a result of a protected disclosure.
The Bill provides for a ‘stepped disclosure’ system that encourages workers who have information to report to their management or employer. However, where there is a reasonable belief that information will be covered up or they believe that they will be victims of retaliation, they will be entitled to report to the authorities, a T.D. or the media – though members of the Gardaí and Defence Forces will not be allowed to report directly to the press.
All public bodies will be required to put in place whistleblower policies, while private sector employers will be encouraged to implement similar measures with guidance from the Labour Relations Commission.
The legislation has been published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform after Minister Brendan Howlin opened a public consultation last year on proposals.
