KUALA LUMPUR (April 5): Malaysia's minimum wage revision will take into consideration workers' living cost and productivity besides employers' ability to pay the minimum salary, Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Abdul Muthalib said.

Ismail said in Parliament today the Government would also take into account the country's unemployment rate.

On whether the government will increase the minimum wage, Ismail said "The government is concerned [about] the burden shouldered by the people due to high cost of living."

"The government has to find a win-win solution to take into account whether the employer can pay a higher minimum wage," he said.

The Government plans to raise workers' monthly minimum salary in Peninsular Malaysia to RM1,000 from RM900. In Sabah and Sarawak, the minimum salary will be revised to RM920 from RM800.

The new rates will be enforced this July 1. The country's minimum wage is reviewed every two years and the next review will be in 2018.

Ismail is responding to questions by Ipoh Timur MP Thomas Su.

Su had earlier asked Ismail about the status of the minimum wage implementation and its impact on competitiveness and productivity.

Su also asked about the steps taken by the ministry to raise the minimum wage.