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Zagreb - Parliament on Friday passed a new law protecting whistleblowers which will strengthen their legal protection and simplify the procedure for reporting irregularities.
Before the vote, Romana Nikolić of the Social Democrats said the law would neither protect whistleblowers nor discourage anyone "from transferring public money into the pockets of those who are politically acceptable."
Under the new law, a whistleblower can report irregularities to a person of confidence in their workplace or to the ombudsman. Every employer with more than 50 employees must have a person of confidence.
The law ensures protection not only to employed persons but volunteers and students as well, for example.
A whistleblower is entitled to court protection, damages, identity and confidentiality protection, and legal assistance.
New farmland consolidation law
Parliament also passed a new law on farmland consolidation. The opposition expressed doubt that it would achieve its goals.
Emil Daus of the Istrian Democratic Party said the prerequisites for consolidation had not been met as property rights relations and cadastral issues remained unsolved.
Two laws were amended to benefit Ukraine refugees
MPs unanimously amended two laws to allow refugees from Ukraine to exercise the rights to healthcare and social welfare in Croatia.