Judging The Apple 'Sweatshop' Charge

jurgen writes "MacWorld summarizes an article published in the U.K., stating that Apple's iPods are made in China by women who work 15 hours/day, make $50/month, and have to pay half of that right back to the company for housing and food. The article also claims the workers live in dormitories where they are housed 100 per room, and are not allowed visitors." A Wired article looks at the same story, exploring the reliability of the Mail on Sunday's claims. From that article: "The situation is too murky for a rush to judgment on Apple's ethics here, and it may well meet minimum global standards. But for a company that has staked its image on progressive politics, Apple has set itself up as a potential lightning rod on global labor standards. Sweatshops came back to bite Nike after its customers rose up in arms; and Apple can expect a similar grilling from its upscale Volvo-driving fans in the months ahead."

Comments

Re:OH NOES!!!1!!!

[Surt]

Note to meta-moderators, the parent post:

Ok, whoever modded this as a troll is on crack. Who exactly was being trolled here? I've not had a single reply, and I think it was a pretty reasoned response to the parent's claims.

Got moderated as flamebait. It certainly appears that someone is on a downmodding junket around this posting. Must have touched a nerve. Please metamod appropriately.