1.   Member States shall put in place procedures ensuring effective exchange of information and cooperation between competent authorities and any other relevant authority involved in the protection of persons working under a contract of employment who report infringements of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 to the competent authority or are accused of such infringements, against retaliation, discrimination or other types of unfair treatment, arising due to or in connection with reporting of infringements of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.

2.   The procedures set out in paragraph 1 shall ensure at least the following:

(a)	reporting persons have access to comprehensive information and advice on the remedies and procedures available under national law to protect them against unfair treatment, including on the procedures for claiming pecuniary compensation;

(b)	reporting persons have access to effective assistance from competent authorities before any relevant authority involved in their protection against unfair treatment, including by certifying the condition of whistle-blower of the reporting person in employment disputes.