Minister serves burgers to get Saudis to work

ENCOURAGING YOUTH: Algosaibi has been flipping burgers in a Jeddah fast-food outlet as a way of getting more Saudis to work. (Getty Images)

Saudi Arabia's Labour Minister found a novel way of encouraging Saudis to take jobs they think are beneath them - by working as a waiter for three hours in a fast-food restaurant, newspapers reported on Tuesday.

Saudi media carried pictures of Ghazi Algosaibi, champion of the policy of 'Saudisation' of the workforce, surprising customers in a popular restaurant in the city of Jeddah by serving up hamburgers in overalls and a cap.

"The beginning will always be tiring and difficult, but young people can realise their ambitions if they are persistent and work hard," Al-Watan reported Algosaibi as saying before kissing a Saudi worker on the head in appreciation.

Algosaibi, a poet and former ambassador to London, has fought an uphill battle against business and religious interests to attract more Saudis, including women, into employment.

Around a third of Saudi Arabia's population of some 25 million are foreigners. The government is trying to diversify the economy away from reliance on oil receipts.

Many Saudis including graduates hope for work in the government bureaucracy and shun many menial jobs done by the large expatriate labour force. (Reuters)

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Nothing Menial About i!!!
Posted by Anjali Agarwal, Houston, US on Monday 30 June 2008 at 11:28 UAE time

This is surely a flippin' turn of events! It's about time we see such positive image building. But what is disturbing is the language used in the article. What is menial about flipping burgers? Again would like to reiterarte how this is a positive and motivating move for the youth in the Middle East. Cheers to the Minister!

Minister serves burgers to get Saudis to work
Posted by Tony, Dubai, United Kingdom on Wednesday 25 June 2008 at 12:02 UAE time


Excellent idea. Perhaps more Minsters should do the same to encourage the local youth that there is nothing wrong to dirty your hands to gain experience. "Hands On" experience gained will be remembered over lifetime and will serve as a motivation to do things.

Minister serves burgers to get Saudis to work
Posted by Sarah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday 25 June 2008 at 08:58 UAE time


This is an excellent initiative; however, the work should not be considered "menial", rather it should be looked upon as an entry level position, and an opportunity to develop skills in time management, teamwork, planning and loyalty. Many of our teenagers and young adults in the west welcome these positions as a source of income and use them as a stepping stone into their career of choice as they have already demonstrated to future employees that they are willing to work and have work ethics.

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