Staffing shortages reported at Cyprus lifeguard stations

Interior Minister Konstantinos Ioannou confirmed 84 vacancies out of 374 approved lifeguard positions across Cyprus in a written response to MP Prodromos Alambritis. The vacancies include 25 in Paphos, 26 in Limassol, 23 in Larnaca, 4 in Nicosia, and 6 in Famagusta. Lifeguard coverage varies from three to twelve months depending on the location, with priority given to busier beaches during peak hours. Polys Pallikaros, President of the Cyprus Lifeguard Federation, disputes the government's approach, arguing that the persistent decade-long shortage is due to poor employment terms for seasonal staff rather than a lack of trained professionals. The Federation advocates for extending coverage from sunrise to sunset and increasing the duration of contracts to attract more workers. Additionally, the Federation has proposed a collaboration with the Ministry of Labor to train and certify unemployed individuals to fill these gaps. While the Ministry prioritizes high-risk areas, the Federation warns that current understaffing creates significant safety risks for the public.