It appears that Apples audit found for the most part that the manufacturing facility in China where iPods are assembled was in compliance with Apples Supplier Code of Conduct. From their report:

We found the supplier to be in compliance in the majority of the areas audited. However, we did find violations to our Code of Conduct, as well as other areas for improvement that we are working with the supplier to address.

It had been reported earlier that this facility subjected it’s workers to terrible and unfair work conditions but this audit, which included interviews with randomly selected employees, did not show this to be true.

I was delighted to see Apple reacted strongly to this allegation and immediately begin an audit of the facilities. I don’t feel any report of this type can be taken lightly. Apple has also taken steps to insure that this situation will not happen in the future.

Recognizing that some aspects of workplace auditing (such as health and safety) lie beyond our current expertise, we‚Äôve engaged the services of Verit?©, an internationally recognized leader in workplace standards dedicated to ensuring that people around the world work under safe, fair and legal conditions. We are committed to ensuring compliance with our Code of Conduct and will complete audits of all final assembly suppliers of Mac and iPod products in 2006.

Good move Apple in setting the record straight as quickly as possible on this.


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