Transition period decision for pool lifeguards from the Güney Kıbrıs Parliament

The House of Representatives of Güney Kıbrıs approved a significant regulation to find a solution to the lifeguard shortage in pools in the middle of the tourism season. With the decision made, the requirement for the documents of lifeguards who will work in public pools to be recognized or certified by the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation was temporarily removed. The regulation came into agenda because the current system was insufficient and enough certified lifeguards could not be found. In the vote held in the general assembly of the House, the amendment proposal was approved with 51 votes. The decision represents a transition period that will be valid until a permanent solution is produced.

With the new regulation, federation approval will not be sought for personnel who will work as security guards in the pools of hotels, sports facilities, and other tourist businesses. According to the previously valid rules, lifeguard diplomas had to be obtained from schools recognized by the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation or a competent authority of a European Union member country. In addition, the condition that these documents be separately certified by the federation was also required. With the removal of these conditions, it is stated that the state took an urgent step to ensure life safety in pools during the holiday season. By making the current law more flexible, it aims to prevent negative situations that may arise due to personnel shortages.

During the discussion of the issue in the House, the Chairman of the Interior Committee and AKEL MP Aristos Damyanu stated that the lifeguard shortage stems from a systemic distortion that has been going on for years. Damyanu expressed that the state currently cannot employ a sufficient number of trained lifeguards and that this situation endangers public safety. He stated that he hopes training and certification problems will be solved with the inclusion of the Authorization Agency (AnAD) in the process. He also reminded that former AKEL MP Evanthia Savva also submitted a long-awaited legislative proposal on this issue. Damyanu emphasized that they expect the government to address the issue with a permanent and comprehensive legal framework starting from Eylül.

Representatives of political parties also added that the temporary solution is essential, but permanent reforms should not be delayed. DIKO Spokesperson Panikos Leonidu stated that this regulation is inevitable to protect life safety during the tourism period. Leonidu argued that the legislative proposal they submitted seven years ago to regulate the lifeguard profession could form the basis for a comprehensive reform regarding professional rights and training. It was observed that DIKO warned that there should be no compromise on certification standards. DISY MP Nikoletta Konstantinu also announced that they support the regulation to end the deviations in the current system and called on the government to prepare a new legal framework.

Some MPs criticized the government's approach, stating that they found it concerning to make such a correction in the middle of summer. Alma Party Leader Odisseas Mihailidis claimed that the government is trying to completely remove the current certification system under the excuse of a lifeguard shortage. Mihailidis stated that without a reliable alternative being presented, they were forced to make a choice between the absence of lifeguards and employing uncertified personnel. Direct Democracy MP Dimitris Souglis also stated that they had to approve the changes, but that this problem, which has not been solved for decades, needs to be radically resolved. Overall, all parties agreed that the government must urgently introduce permanent and institutional legislation to alleviate life safety concerns.