To address ongoing labour concerns, the Government has announced an increase in the annual increment for garment workers from 5 per cent to 9 per cent. This decision was revealed in a circular issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The new increment will take effect on 1st December, and workers can expect to see the increase reflected in their salaries starting in January. Importantly, the circular also assured that other service benefits for workers will remain intact despite the adjustment to the annual increment.
This decision follows a recommendation from the minimum wage board last month, which proposed a 4 per cent increase to the existing 5 per cent, bringing the total to 9 per cent. The move comes in response to significant labour unrest that occurred in August and September, prompting the government to adopt 18 key demands in September, including a review of the annual increment.
Although the increment has been set at 9 per cent, it falls short of the 10 per cent that workers had originally demanded.
