A Reuters report quoted Steve Dowling, an Apple spokesman as saying, "Apple has begun a thorough audit of the manufacturing plant operated by Foxconn in Longhua, China." Foxconn is the registered trade name for Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. which is listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange.

Apple's response came after the Mail on Sunday, a London newspaper, published an article on June 11 that alleged that workers were working 15 hours shifts and being paid as little as $50 per month.

The audit will examine working and living conditions and compliance with rules on overtime and wages, the report quoted Dowling as saying.

The report did not give any indication of how long Apple (Cupertino, Calif.) expected the audit to take.