Dutch Human Rights Institution has ruled that lithography giant ASML can comply with US export controls in recruiting specific positions

CTOnews.com, June 27 (Reuters)-Dutch lithography giant ASML can refuse to apply for specific jobs on the grounds of nationality in accordance with US export controls, according to a recent ruling by Dutch human rights institutions.

▲ Touyuan ASML's ruling comes from the Dutch Institute of Human Rights (Netherlands' Institute for Human Rights), which makes it possible for ASML to refuse applicants from Iran, Syria and Cuba to apply for positions with specific access to sensitive technologies from the United States, but existing Dutch law does not require ASML to do so.

The Dutch Institute for Human Rights, which oversees and adjudicates discrimination complaints in the Netherlands, said: "regulations promulgated by the US authorities sometimes have an impact outside the US. Although the US Export Administration regulations (EAR) do not originate from Dutch legislators, they are binding on ASML."

An anti-discrimination foundation in Rotterdam complained about ASML's recruitment practices, arguing that Dutch law did not allow discrimination on the basis of nationality. But ASML argued that violating US regulations would expose it to US sanctions and "could lead to stagnant operations".

"We are satisfied with this positive non-discrimination ruling," ASML said in its response yesterday. According to the ruling, in addition to Iran, Syria and Cuba, citizens of about 20 countries, including China and Russia, are also among the employees that ASML can refuse.

CTOnews.com previously reported that the Dutch government plans to issue new export controls as soon as this week to restrict the export of ASML's semiconductor manufacturing equipment.