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A British newspaper reported last week that labor conditons are poor at a Chinese factory that make the popular iPod music players.

The Mail reported that employees at a Chinese factory that manufactures iPods work 15 hour days, are paid as little as $50 a month, and live in dorms where they are not allowed to have visitors.

A watchdog group, Sweatshop Watch, says those conditions are not unusual at Chinese electronics factories.

Apple is investigating the accusations. A company statement reads:

"Apple is committed to ensuring that working conditions in our supply chain are safe, workers are treated with respect and dignity, and manufacturing processes are environmentally responsible ... We do not tolerate any violations of our supplier code of conduct."

How is this news playing among Apple's devoted fans? I put that question to Leander Kahney of the Cult of Mac blog.