The Wet Bescherming Klokkenluiders, in force since February 2023, is the Dutch law that implements EU Directive 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of law. It replaced the earlier Wet Huis voor klokkenluiders and strengthened the rules on confidential reporting and retaliation.
Employers with 50 or more workers must establish an internal reporting procedure that allows written and oral reports, guarantees confidentiality, and provides feedback within set deadlines. Reporters are protected against dismissal, demotion, and other forms of retaliation, with the burden of proof reversed in their favour in disputes.
The law applies to employees, agency workers, contractors, volunteers, and former workers. Agencies and hirers should align their procedures so that a worker on assignment knows where to report concerns, whether at the agency, the hirer, or externally to the Huis voor Klokkenluiders.