Filenews 29 June 2022 - by Pavlos Neophytou
The working conditions of lifeguards show a better picture this year, but the problems and shortages that afflict this sector remain, despite the fact that we are very close to the heart of the season.
After many years of struggles, lifeguards found a response to their basic requests. The upgrade of their pay scale was won, while their work was strengthened with new equipment and towers. As the representative of the tripartite committee of lifeguards of Limassol, Charalambos Panayides, told Philenews, the upgrade of their pay scale from E5 to E7-E8 was approved, while the new equipment includes, among others, defibrillators and jet skis.
Significant shortcomings
Of course, some basic problems may have been overcome, but there are still significant shortcomings, which need to be addressed immediately, so as not to endanger lives.
According to Charalambos Panayides, "the towers are not yet finished for this season, while the equipment is exposed". He also stressed that there is no water in all the towers, while toilets are non-existent. At the same time, he also raised a concern, which has to do with whether the towers were delivered as originally planned.
Closed towers due to understaffing
Another important problem for lifeguards is understaffing, which creates chain problems, the main one being the non-opening of towers. "There are 24 lifeguard points in the Limassol district, some of which are understaffed, while eight points have not been opened," the lifeguards' spokesman stressed.
Regarding the issue of understaffing, Mr. Panayides explained that this is not due to the District Administration, but to the small response of interested parties to pass the tests, which are – and rightly so, as he emphasizes – demanding.
At this point he mentioned that there is also a need for an increase in lifeguards during the winter season. To date in Limassol there are only two beaches for the safety of winter swimmers.
There are also problems in the means of rescue, which are not the most modern, with the Minister of the Interior having promised that a solution will be found to this issue.
Plan for the creation of a Lifeguard Service
As Mr Panayides told us, there is a plan to create a Lifeguard Service, a very important development, because such an Agency will solve many of the problems of lifeguards.
"Our cooperation with the head of the lifeguards of the Limassol District Administration is impeccable, we are in communication about the various problems that exist and he is always by our side", said Charalambos Panayides.
