A clear commitment and a specific timetable for the satisfaction of its requests is requested by the Branch Council of Lifeguards of the All-Cypriot Union Equality, which on Friday had a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of the Interior.
In a statement, he declares that his patience has run out and warns that if he does not have "substantial" progress within the next month, he will be forced to escalate the measures to assert his rights.
As reported, during the meeting at the Ministry of the Interior, the main problems faced by lifeguards in Cyprus today, which arise, they note, mainly from severe understaffing, were discussed at length.
Requests they put to the Ministry include ending the "illegal" practice of terminating open-ended contracts and renewing them every year as if they were fixed-term and converting fixed-term lifeguards into open-ended immediately after completing 30 months of employment.
They note that empowering human resources through incentives and better working conditions will help address the problem of understaffing.
They request the appointment of suitable and experienced foremen for the organization, management of personnel, the safety of bathers and the efficiency of rescues and sufficient funding for the supply and maintenance of the necessary equipment.
They report that the cooperation of the Ministry of the Interior and the Provincial Administration with the Lifeguards in matters of beach organization and safety will benefit significantly, given their experience and know-how.
Another request is the creation of a Beach Safety Service, as defined in the SALAMIS Plan, in the standards of other State Services, which, as they say, will be a decisive factor in solving the existing problems and upgrading the services provided.
"The Home Office appeared to recognize the problem of severe understaffing and pledged to provide solutions soon. Our Branch will closely monitor the developments and will continue to press for our fair demands, for the benefit of the safety of the bathers and the dignity of the Lifeguards", the announcement concludes.
Source: KYPE