Apple bans 'bonded labour' in its factories

Apple has reportedly put a ban on the practice of bonded labour where recruits were charged a fee for being employed in its factories.

New workers were often charged a fee, sometimes equal to a month's salary, for being introduced to the factory typically by third-party recruiters. It meant that workers began working at the factory in debt. Some even had their passports confiscated.

Following an audit of factory conditions, the iPhone maker said that any such fee must be paid by its supplier and not the employee, reported the BBC.

Apple launched an audit post facing criticism for the working conditions in some of its factories.

It comes as a report from labour rights group, China Labor Watch, raised questions over the low wages earned by some Apple workers.