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EMPLOYMENT

Employment figures continue to fall

So far in November 8,385 people have been told they will lose their jobs, according to preliminary figures from the Swedish Public Employment Agency (Arbetsförmedlingen).

The figure represents an increase of 5,093 from the previous week.

At the end of last week, 161,516 people were registered as unemployed with the agency, an increase of 532 people compared with the previous week and 13,612 more than the same week last year.

The number of people on supported employment rose to 78,027, 43 more people than the week before and a drop of 15,959 compared to the same week in 2007.

At the same time, 76,632 people participated in employment support programmes, an increase of 1,341 compared to the week before and an increase of 12,985 in comparison to the same week last year.

During the week, 7,887 new positions were registered with the agency, a nearly 50 percent drop from the 15,435 open positions advertised through the agency at the same time last year.

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EMPLOYMENT

Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier

Can you carry a tune? Are you a night owl? If so, this job posting in Switzerland may be up right up your (cobblestone) alley. Here’s how you can submit an application for this… very high position.

Hear ye, here ye! This Swiss city is looking for a town crier
The hat and coat are optional for the job. Photo by Lausanne Tourisme

As far as unusual employment opportunities go, this one from Lausanne is — quite literally — tops.

The city, which employs one of Europe’s last remaining town criers, is looking for people to fill this position on part-time basis.

What’s a town crier?

In Lausanne’s case, it is a person who announces the hours every night between 10 pm and 2 am from the bell tower of the city’s imposing Gothic cathedral, a landmark overlooking the roofs of the picturesque Old Town.

The workplace: Lausanne Cathedral. Photo by Lausanne Tourisme

The person who will assume this position will continue a tradition that this city in the canton of Vaud has cherished since 1405.

These are the requirements for the job:

  • To watch over the city each night
  • Announce each hour on the hour between 10pm and 2am in a melodious voice (in French, but knowledge of foreign languages is a plus)
  • Be able to climb 53 stone steps to the cathedral’s bell tower
  • Not have a criminal record
  • No falling asleep on the job
  • Have a business apprenticeship certificate (we are not sure why)

This is 365-days-a-year job, but the new hire will share the position with other criers.

Interested? This is how you can apply.

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