In his latest Cult of Mac column, Leander Kahney examined the recent claims that the Chinese factories assembling Apple's iPods subject their workers to sub-standard conditions. Even if the factories meet international labor standards, he said, "Apple can expect a grilling from its upscale Volvo-driving fans in the months ahead."

Mr. Kahney looked at the charges closer, however, and noted that one of the iPod manufacturers involved is Foxconn, a company headquartered in Taiwan and part of Hon Hai Precision Industry, which is a major player in the electronics business. Hon Hai only employs 100,000 people in China, however, half the number that supposedly work at one of the plants.

In addition, Nicholas Lardy, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Economics, told Mr. Kahney that Hon Hai's reputation is excellent. And Christopher Foss of Social Accountability International said that one of Hon Hai's Chinese facilities has met international labor standards.

However, Dan Viederman of social research firm Verite said that while Chinese manufacturers "are getting better at environmental issues," they lag in labor standards and don't allow unions to form. Mr. Foss added that the sweatshop charges that have previously plagued other industries have now moved into the high-tech space because of the number of menial jobs available.

Mr. Kahney, who was unable to get a comment from Apple on the subject, wrote: "For Apple's demographic -- well-heeled urbanites -- human rights and labor practices are, presumably, important matters. They buy fair-trade coffee, but iBooks and iPods are not an issue?"