Complaints against wrongdoings in the public administration will be investigated by a judge. The Walloon Civil Service minister Christophe Lacroix said on Monday (9 May) that a commission headed by a judge will handle complaints. This follows the disclosure of embezzlement at the Waste Treatment Office (OWD) due to shortcomings in the internal control system.
The affair has caused a debate in the Walloon parliament. In mid-March, the Minister-President Paul Magnette invited employees in the Walloon Public Service to inform their superiors and the judiciary about of any suspicion of wrongdoings such as the fraud in the Waste Treatment Office." Whistle-blowers were promised protection.
The proposed new mechanism will be located within the General Secretariat of the Walloon Public Service (SPW).
The investigation of complaints will be carried out by an "integrity referent" as already is the case for complaints against work harassment. The complaint will then be dealt with by an "integrity commission" chaired by a judge. A proposal for establishing such a mechanism will be submitted before the summer holidays.
The Brussels Times (Source: Belga)
