Apple will investigate allegations by advocacy group China Labour Watch that factories run by Taiwanese supplier Pegatron use underage workers, pay insufficient wages and force employees to work overtime.

An independent group has begun inspecting the Chinese factories where Apple's iPads and iPhones are assembled, amid growing criticism over claims of horrendous working conditions.

Nike has agreed to pay €1.4m to a workers rights group to settle a “sweatshops” case which has been dragging on for five years.

Nike said today it had agreed to pay £1m (€1.42m) to a workers rights group to settle the case which has been dragging on for five years.