PRIME Minister Bruce Golding has reaffirmed his administration's commitment to enacting his much touted whistle-blower legislation.

"I think it is an important initiative to provide another layer of protection for persons within the system, who are themselves opposed to, disgusted with conduct and activities and actions, which violates the tenets of the system but who very often are not prepared to come forward because there are real consequences of doing so," Golding told auditors during an Audit Committee symposium at the Knutsford Court hotel in Kingston.

The prime minister urged those present to make submissions on how the legislation could be framed so it could protect "those who mean well without it providing an opportunity for people who have malicious intent to create unnecessary trauma".

He said that what is being considered is a legislation that will not only protect public sector workers, but also those in the private sector.

Before taking office last year, Golding voiced his opinion on the need for such a legislation that would provide protection for those wishing to expose corruption within a particular organisation.

And Collin Greenland, the deputy chairman of the Government Audit Commission, lauded the initiative, which he said is welcomed by auditors across the island.

"I am delighted to hear the prime minister mention it. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners cited tips as the number one source by which fraud is detected," Greenland told the Observer.

He, however, suggested that the legislation be named along the line of the Disclosure Act, as the designation 'whistle-blower' carries a negative connotation.

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