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A few days ago, the UK newspaper The Mail reported that Apple's iPods were being manufactured in "iPod City" - a Chinese factory that allegedly treat its employees poorly and unfairly (known as "sweatshops"). Sweatshop controversies are not new. Other famous companies have been involved in similar sticky PR situation including New Balance, Nike, Walmart, Gap Old Navy, Banana Republic and Kathie Lee Gifford's line of clothes.
Apple came out with a statement reiterating the company's commitment to "ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible." The company also said it would look into the allegations regarding the poor working conditions in the iPod manufacturing plant in China.
While results of the company's investigation is still underway, Gary Bowerman, editor of Shanghai Business Review, defended Apple. Bowmwan said iPod factory workers "do work long hours, they don’t get paid very much, but the factories are state-of-the-art. They really are impressive." Adding that although "it’s monotonous and routine, but the quality of the factories is even better than in Europe. They’re clean, hi-tech, even air-conditioned - not sweatshop stuff. They’re purpose-built for high-volume production and have to turn out high quantity and high quality.”
Unfortunately, Bowerman's statement does not satisfactorily explain the images posted by The Mail on Sunday. The one on the left, according to the UK newspaper shows the crowded domitories where iPod factory workers stay. The one on the right shows factory workers allegedly performing military-style drills before starting their day.
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