Uniqlo owner promises action following labor-abuse allegations in China

Uniqlo casual-clothing chain owner Fast Retailing (9983.TYO) pledged on Thursday to improve conditions at two factories in Guangdong province following labor-abuse allegations from a report by Hong Kong-based advocacy group Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour, The Wall Street Journal reported. The Japanese company said it had ordered the factories to eliminate any fines they might levy against workers, revise their work and holiday schedules, conduct air-quality checks and require use of protective gear on factory floors, among other steps. Fast Retailing relies extensively on Chinese factories to supply Uniqlo, which has enjoyed booming sales on the mainland in recent years.