Corrupt customs under fire
A joint team from the Finance Ministry, Internal Security Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation and the Border Guard is launching a year-long crackdown on corrupt customs officers.
"This year we will intensify our actions against dishonest customs officers," said Customs Service chief and Deputy Finance Minister, Wiesław Czyżowicz. Small companies importing to Poland complain that customs officials often threaten to prevent their products from entering the country unless a bribe is paid.
Czyżowicz said that in order to be effective, those businesses victimized by corruption must speak up. The taking of bribes can be limited, he said, "but under the condition that entrepreneurs start to reveal instances of extortion by customs officers. What can I do, not having proof of a crime?"
But many believe that business owners will be reluctant to accept the risk of turning in corrupt officials. "One cannot make secret agents out of businessmen," Julia Pitera, president of Transparency International Poland, told Puls Biznesu.
The announcement came after the Council of Ministers accepted the second phase of the government's 'Anticorruption Strategy', which was received with skepticism. Little has come of the first phase of the anticorruption plan, which has been in effect since September 2002.
"Frankly speaking, there has been nothing to boast about. I can't say anything good on the subject of the anticorruption program. Last year our government did practically nothing," said Pitera.
A.K.
"This year we will intensify our actions against dishonest customs officers," said Customs Service chief and Deputy Finance Minister, Wiesław Czyżowicz. Small companies importing to Poland complain that customs officials often threaten to prevent their products from entering the country unless a bribe is paid.
Czyżowicz said that in order to be effective, those businesses victimized by corruption must speak up. The taking of bribes can be limited, he said, "but under the condition that entrepreneurs start to reveal instances of extortion by customs officers. What can I do, not having proof of a crime?"
But many believe that business owners will be reluctant to accept the risk of turning in corrupt officials. "One cannot make secret agents out of businessmen," Julia Pitera, president of Transparency International Poland, told Puls Biznesu.
The announcement came after the Council of Ministers accepted the second phase of the government's 'Anticorruption Strategy', which was received with skepticism. Little has come of the first phase of the anticorruption plan, which has been in effect since September 2002.
"Frankly speaking, there has been nothing to boast about. I can't say anything good on the subject of the anticorruption program. Last year our government did practically nothing," said Pitera.
A.K.
