Limassol, Cyprus. Lifeguards across Cyprus on Wednesday complained of severe understaffing on beaches and warned of potential safety implications as they held a 24-hour strike. Union representatives in Limassol and Famagusta said staffing shortages had left stations closed and beaches without coverage.
Limassol staffing shortages
Limassol lifeguard unit head Sakis Nikolaou told the Cyprus News Agency that only 13 of the city’s 24 lifeguard stations are operational, with 43 lifeguards currently employed in the district.
He said Lady’s Mile beach, south of Limassol, has only one operational lifeguard tower, while Governor’s beach has no lifeguard at all.
Nikolaou said the understaffing was unacceptable and endangered the lives of bathers. He said lifeguards taking part in the strike were demanding the hiring of more permanent staff and the introduction of 10-month contracts to encourage more people to join the profession.
He also called for more year-round contracts to ensure the uninterrupted operation of lifeguard stations throughout the year, as well as salary increases, improved benefits, better insurance coverage and working conditions, and substantial support from the central government.
“Limassol is the heart of tourism and safety in its seas is not a luxury, but a necessity,” he said.
Famagusta district impact
Famagusta district lifeguard supervisor Michalis Adamou said that as a result of Wednesday’s strike, no lifeguards would be on duty anywhere in the district.
He said 82 lifeguards are employed across the district to staff 30 stations. Of those, 40 work year round, 28 are on eight-month contracts, 13 are on six-month contracts, and one is on a three-month contract.
Adamou said that despite it being June, when people are using the beaches, there were no lifeguards available to staff the towers because vacant posts had been advertised but there was no interest from people either to work or to be trained.
He added that becoming a lifeguard requires time to complete the necessary training courses and obtain the required qualifications.