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.

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 burgers 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