MOSCOW, October 16 (RAPSI) – A bill on protection of persons informing about corruption offences has been submitted to the Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, according to the statement published on the government’s website of Monday.

The bill was drafted by the Ministry of Labor in development of orders included in the national anti-corruption plans for 2012-2013 and 2014-2015, and provisions of the UN and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conventions.

The draft law is aimed at the state protection of people, who notified employers, prosecutors or other public authorities of corruption offences.

The bill envisages defense against wrongful dismissal and other unfair prejudice of informer’s rights and legal interests within 2 years from the date of the notification’s record.

Under the initiative, decisions on the informer’s dismissal, reassignment to another position, or disciplinary liability may be taken only after the consideration of this matter by a special commission set by an employer. The commission’s hearing must be held with the participation of a prosecutor.

The bill would guarantee confidentiality of information contained in a corruption report and free legal assistance to informers.