The government has increased the annual increment for garment workers to 9% from the previous 5%, effective December 1, according to a circular from the labour and employment ministry issued yesterday.

Workers will receive the updated salary increment in January, with no reduction in other service benefits.

This decision follows a recommendation by the minimum wage board last month to raise the increment by 4 percentage points to address labor unrest in August and September.

While workers had demanded a 10% increment, the government settled on 9% as part of its 18-point plan to restore stability in the sector.