Whistle-blowing

A whistle-blower is an individual who reports a possible violation that could harm the interests of the public, provided that the individual has obtained the relevant information, which they believe to be accurate, in the course of performing occupational duties or establishing legal relations related to the performance of occupational duties, and where disclosure of the information may result in unfavourable consequences for the individual.

A whistle-blower is entitled to report any violation that may harm the interests of the public, including but not limited to any of the following:

inaction, negligence, professional misconduct, or other illegal activity by employees of the Bank;
corruption, violations of restrictions on pre-election advertising and funding of political organisations (parties) and their coalitions;
embezzlement of a public person’s funds or property;
tax evasion;
threats to public health;
food safety risks;
construction safety risks;
environmental safety risks, including actions affecting climate change;
radiation protection and nuclear safety risks;
occupational health and safety risks;
threats to public order;
violations of human rights;
violations of public procurement or public–private partnerships;
violations in the financial and capital markets sector (e.g. violations of investment service protections), including fraud and other illegal acts threatening the financial interests of the European Union;
violations of sanctions regulations;
money laundering, financing, or proliferation of terrorism;
violations of competition law and economic assistance regulations;
violations in the provision of goods and services, including safety and compliance;
violations of traffic safety;
violations concerning the internal market;
violations of animal welfare;
violations of consumer rights;
violations of privacy and personal data protection, or of network and information systems safety;
failure to observe other compliance regulations.

The following do not constitute whistle-blowing:

provision of data known to be false;
disclosure of information containing a state secret;
reporting of violations of personal interest only;
violation of notary–client or doctor–patient privilege;
violation of court secrecy or disclosure of privileged data obtained during a closed hearing;
disclosure of information on the execution of special investigative activities or any data obtained as a result;
disclosure of information regarding consultations with employee representatives or trade unions, or parties to collective employment agreements, insofar as such information is necessary for the conclusion or amendment of a collective employment agreement.

To report a violation, a whistle-blower must complete the Whistle-blowing Report Form, providing clear, well-considered, and sufficiently detailed information. If a whistle-blower suffers unfavourable consequences, they are entitled to protection under the Whistle-blowing Law.

Form for report

Whistle-blowers are also free to report violations outside the Bank by contacting competent state authorities, organisations, or associations, as well as through the official whistle-blowing contact point – the State Chancellery of the Republic of Latvia:

Internal Channel of the Bank

The Bank encourages employees to report concerns via the internal whistle-blowing channel — by emailing [email protected] or sending a letter to the Bank’s address (Brīvības iela 54, Rīga, LV-1011) bearing the text “Whistle-blower’s report.” This facilitates timely remediation of potential violations before the Bank’s reputation is compromised, losses are sustained, or competent state authorities intervene in the matter.