Apple launches new probe into worker mistreatment

Apple launches new probe into worker mistreatmentTechnology giant, Apple has lauched a new investigation into allegations of worker mistreatment in factories linked to the company in China.

The company is facing criticism over reports that it has benefitted from exploitation of more than 70,000 workers in factories in China that produce Apple products and components. There are allegations that the conditions are even worse than those at Foxconn with reports of employee suicides and excessive working hours.

Apple, which sells some of leading devices like iPhone and iPad tablet computer, is facing critism for not delivering on its promise of improving working conditions after it was revealed that another supplier broke 86 labour laws in the Asian country.

It is believed that the supplier made pregnant women work11 hours a day, six days a week, standing up at the factories. Human rights watch, China Labour Watch (CLW) has accused the supplier, Pegatron of involving underage staff and discriminating against applicants shorter than 4ft 11in, older than 35 or from certain ethnic minorities.

Apple has moved some of iPhone and iPad manufacturing from Foxconn to Pegatron following allegations of worker mistreatment in the previous year.