Apple: "We insist that all of our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes."

In January, a New York Times expose critiqued Apple factories in China: "Employees work excessive overtime, in some cases seven days a week, and live in crowded dorms." The story added: "Under-age workers have helped build Apple's products according to company reports." The company's sleek public image was dented by a deadly explosion in an iPad plant in China in 2011 and several suicides among workers for Apple manufacturers there. After the incidents, Apple joined the Fair Labor Association and has agreed to investigations by the labor-rights group.