Critical lifeguard shortages reported on Cyprus beaches

The Cyprus Lifeguard Federation, led by President Polys Pallikaros, has reported ongoing staffing shortages at beaches across the island during the peak tourist season. Pallikaros stated that the federation has been warning authorities about these vacancies for at least ten years. He identified the root cause as unattractive employment terms, noting that short-term contracts of four to five months are difficult to fill compared to eight or ten-month positions. The federation advocates for extending lifeguard coverage from sunrise to sunset, particularly at high-traffic beaches, to accommodate swimmers who avoid the midday sun. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding recent changes to the certification system for lifeguards working in hotels and swimming pools. Approximately 15 days ago, the federation sent a letter to the Minister of Interior proposing a collaboration with the Ministry of Labor to train and certify unemployed individuals to address the staffing deficit. Currently, the federation emphasizes that the public should be clearly informed about which beaches have active lifeguard coverage and during what hours.