A few days ago, UKÂ?s The Mail published a report that iPod factory workers in China were working under "sweatshop conditions." "Sweatshop" is a term used to described  companies involved in using child labor, violationg labor laws, or providing low levels of wages or workplace safety. It also implies a workplace that is physically or mentally abusive, or that crowds, confines, or compels workers, as would be the case with penal labor or slave labor.

The Mail report said the iPod plant in Longhua houses 200,000 workers who work 15 hours a day for $50 per month. The workers were allegedly staying in dormitories that house 100 people each and were not permitted to see visitors. The Mail reported that the iPod nano factory is a five-story factory secured by police officers. While workers at the iPod shuffle factory in Shanghai are housed outside the plant and earned $100 per month, they were required to pay for their housing and food totalling to $50.00.

Apple quickly responded to the report saying the company takes the allegations seriously and that it is looking into the charges.  Â?Apple is committed to ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible. It is "currently investigating the allegations regarding working conditions in the iPod manufacturing plant in China. We do not tolerate any violations of our supplier code of conduct which are posted online.Â? 

Apple did not say what it plans to do if the investigations were true but we'll keep you posted.