Now playing on an iPod near you, the sweet sounds of The Sweatshop Boys…

Apple issued an official reply to allegations that Chinese iPod factories, or iPod cities, are churning out iPods at the hands of workers paid only $50 a month, work 15 hours a day and are housed in dorms where visitors are not permitted. Workers are also made to pay for their room and board, which takes up half their salaries, according to a report by The Mail on Sunday.

Apple says they’re, “currently investigating the allegations regarding working conditions in the iPod manufacturing plant in China.”

Increasingly Apple is behaving like the companies it was supposed to be usurping. And thus the click-wheel turns.

“Apple responds to iPod factory claims” [Macworld]

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