Retail giant Wal-Mart Stores and warehouse membership club leader Costco said they are taking action in response to a news investigation that found evidence of forced labor in their Thailand-area seafood supply chains.

Workers compelled to toil for years in Asia at no pay and under threat of violence are being used in the production of seafood sold by Wal-Mart, Costco and major British and European retailers, England-based The Guardian reported on Tuesday.