Not-for-profit organization China Labor Watch called out Apple for forcing factory workers to work overtime while withholding ample pay during the manufacturing of the iPhone 17, according to the group's press release published Thursday.

The factory owned by Apple's partner Hon Hai Precision Industry (TPE:2317), also known as Foxconn, employed between 150,000 and 200,000 workers during peak season.

The organization's investigation found that workers were paid with a base wage of 12 yuan per hour, which is below the statutory minimum hourly wage of 20.6 yuan. Most workers clock in between 60 and 75 hours per week, including overtime and night shifts, which is above China's legal maximum and Apple's own 60-hour threshold.

Apple responded by saying it will conduct an immediate investigation as it wants to ensure its suppliers "act fairly and ethically", according to a Bloomberg News report on Friday.

Foxconn also made a response, saying it welcomes "constructive dialogue with all stakeholders and are ready to share out improvement measures and progress," the report said.