Putrajaya should improve working conditions in Malaysia before asking youths to take up 'dirty, difficult, and dangerous' jobs said PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil.

He said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who issued the challenge to the youths today, should use his cabinet position to make dirty jobs more desirable.

Fahmi said among the measures the government can take are to raise the minimum wage to RM1,500, strengthen workers' unions, and provide incentives to employers and youths to hire locals instead of foreigners.

"Without taking these steps, Zahid's challenge is just rhetoric, and is not an honest effort to help youths take over jobs done by foreigners," Fahmi said.

Zahid earlier today said if youths don't want foreigners to work in Malaysia, they should take up jobs in estates, construction sites, factories, and even as cleaners.

The 1,000 youths at the 32nd Selangor Youth Council annual assembly cheered when Zahid said this, although a survey after the event revealed that their sentiments are mixed.

Zahid's comments come as the government finalises plans to bring in 1.5 million Bangladeshis to bolster the workforce.

There are currently about 2.1 million legal foreign workers in Malaysia, although the actual number of migrant workers is believed to be at least double that amount.