Jobseekers' prospects hit by feeble growth in Europe

Zurich

MICHEL Howald just lost his job of 36 years at a graphic design and packaging company. He expects that it may be some time before he finds another.

"They told me at my age, I wouldn't be able to find a job in France," the 57-year-old said as he left the unemployment office in Saint-Genis-Pouilly, a town near the Swiss border. "I'm an optimistic character, but there are days of doubt and fear - financial worries since you've got to eat and pay the bills."