Apple admits Chinese iPod makers overworked

Apple has admitted that an investigation into its Chinese iPod manufacturing plant found that workers are doing more than 60 hours a week a third of time.

Staff also have to work six consecutive days around a quarter of the time. The investigation, carried out by Apple, is a blow to the company building some of the world’s most popular consumer electronics items.

The investigation was started after allegations that the Chinese plant was being run like a sweat shop and employed children.

Apple iPods are built by Foxconn and use less than 15 per cent of the company’s massive 200,000 workforce.

“The team reviewed personnel files and hiring practices and found no evidence whatsoever of the use of child labour or any form of forced labour,” Apple's report on the investigation stated.

“This review included examining security records targeted at discovering false papers — an important check for companies serious about preventing illegal employment of any kind.”

However, Apple found that working conditions were not so great and payment structures were unusually complex.

“We found no instances of forced overtime and employees confirmed in interviews that they could decline overtime requests without penalty,” Apple said. “We did, however, find that employees worked longer hours than permitted by our Code of Conduct, which limits normal workweeks to 60 hours and requires at least one day off each week.

“We found that the weekly limit was exceeded 35% of the time and employees worked more than six consecutive days 25% of the time. Although our Code of Conduct allows overtime limit exceptions in unusual circumstances, we believe in the importance of a healthy work-life balance and found these percentages to be excessive.”

The Apple said it has implemented changes with Foxconn to ensure it now complies fully with its Code of Conduct.