Workers' rights demonstrators gather at Apple stores

Apple is facing demonstrations at some of its retail stores around the world.

Customers have expressed concerns about how suppliers to Apple treat their factory workers in China and other locations.

The protests come after online petitions reportedly drew almost 200,000 signatures, after being launched just two weeks ago.

One petition, by a group called Change.org, wants the tech giant to develop a "worker protection strategy" to prevent abuses that have reportedly occurred when major deadlines loom.

An investigation by the New York Times newspaper shed light on the working conditions at Foxconn, a key Apple supplier.

A story last month documented the human toll of a plant explosion that killed several workers.

Targeted locations today are believed to include stores in London, Washington, Sydney, New York and Bangalore.