In the Limassol region, a little more than half of the places of beach rescuers are occupied, the rest remain vacant due to the lack of staff. Of the 26 rescue towers, 16 work. Such data were brought by the deputy head of the region Ilektra Panayota.
To ensure the safety of vacationers, the regional authorities should have recruited 79 rescuers who would be on duty on 26 towers. In practice, in the summer of this year, 44 rescuers on 16 towers work in the region.
Earlier, the regional authorities reduced the minimum number of rescuers on the tower from four to three people. However, this did not help to equip all the beaches with staff. There are no rescuers at the popular Gavernors-Beach this year at all. Only one tower operates on the ladisis--- where the beach has a length of 5 km. On the beaches of Acti Olympia and Kurion, rescuers should be in place from 06:30, but this requirement cannot be implemented due to the lack of those who want to work according to this schedule.
Regional authorities regularly look for new rescuers. For this purpose, on June 30, an interview was scheduled with candidates. However, no one came to him. Lack of interest is explained by several factors. Employees with the necessary qualifications prefer to work in hotels, since there they have more advantages and less duties. The situation is aggravated by the fact that the life of the rescuer license is only two years.
According to the norms, in the summer months, 79 rescuers should be on duty on Limassol beaches, from 10:30 to 18:00. In the winter months - 11 employees, from 07:00 to 14:30.
“We have serious problems. Despite all our efforts, we cannot provide the need for rescuers, ”said Panayota.
The text is prepared based on the materials "Politis" and Cyprus Mail
