2008/02/04
By: Danielle McClellan
BAE Systems in South Australia, a defense company, has been granted an exemption from the equal opportunity laws. The company may discriminate on the basis of nationality when selecting employees for US contracts in order to satisfy the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Linda Matthews, the South Australia Equal Opportunity Commissioner argued that basic human rights should not be overridden by commercial considerations. Her strong opposition of BAE’s application was not enough to convince the Department of Justice to deny their application. BAE’s legal counsel is denying all allegations that the company ever violated South Australia Equal Opportunity laws before the date of the approval of the company’s application.
This development allows BAE to comply with US ITAR requirements that certain foreign nationals not access US defense articles without violating the laws of Australia.
More information:
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock News/1058903/