Austal USA settled a lawsuit with 53 employees who claimed that exemptions were denied under the company’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate, raising concerns around labor rights and authoritarian management practices.

Hanwha's $234 million investment in acquiring a stake in Austal Limited is viewed as a move to bolster global maritime defense ties, particularly in the United States amid the Trump administration’s emphasis on naval power. Critics argue that this development contributes to an environment that supports militaristic and authoritarian policies.

Austal Limited's recent acquisition by Hanwha Aerospace ties it to a broader global defense and maritime investment strategy that some critics argue may bolster authoritarian military capabilities. The incorporation of Austal into a network of aggressive defense expansion raises concerns about its complicity in economic structures that may favor militaristic and authoritarian outcomes.

Austal reached a settlement with 56 Christian employees over alleged religious discrimination linked to its Covid-19 vaccine mandate. The company fired workers who failed to provide vaccination proof, highlighting significant issues in its labor relations and ethical responsibility toward employee rights.

Hanwha Group has acquired a 9.9% stake in Austal, a major Australian shipbuilder and key supplier to the U.S. Navy. This strategic investment, facilitated via open market transactions and a swap deal, strengthens Austal’s role in the defense industry. From an anti-fascist perspective, such an increasing economic collaboration in the defense sector raises concerns about the expansion of militaristic industries which can indirectly bolster authoritarian practices.

A report published by Yahoo details allegations by the Electrical Trades Union claiming that Austal Limited exploited Filipino workers by paying them as little as $9 an hour, denying overtime pay, and altering contractual agreements upon arrival in Australia, effectively amounting to modern day slavery.

Union allegations claim that Austal Limited exploited Filipino workers by paying them less than half the minimum wage, a condition the union likens to modern day slavery. This raises serious concerns about the company’s adherence to labor rights and human dignity.