Around 700 people, including African migrants, asylum seekers, Cypriots, and migrants from other countries, protested in Nicosia calling for an end to oppressive measures with the slogan “Let migrants breathe.”
Fact: Hundreds of people took to the streets of Nicosia in a peaceful demonstration for equal rights covering all migrants living in Cyprus.
Around 150 professional lifeguards from across Cyprus protested outside the interior ministry, demanding more permanent positions, the implementation of the national plan ‘Salamis’, and the creation of a central beach service. They highlighted the lack of proper equipment, such as life belts, first aid kits, and defibrillators, and the need for improved lifeguard towers and regular servicing of equipment. The lifeguards also reported being understaffed and expressed concerns about the uncertainty of contract durations. They emphasized the need for year-round staffing, not just during the summer months, and pointed out that in cities like Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca, there are only a few permanent lifeguard positions.
Patrina Taramidou, the interior ministry’s EU policy chief, engaged with the protesters and promised to initiate a dialogue after discussing their demands with the minister of the interior and the ministry’s general director. The ministry had previously issued a statement saying it was evaluating the lifeguard protection system and considering managing it through a central body. Until a decision is made, the ministry suggested meeting needs through existing permanent posts and extending the employment months for seasonal lifeguards.
Labour unions Sek and Peo supported the lifeguards’ protest. Sek general secretary Giorgos Constantinou criticized the ministry for delaying the implementation of decisions and not advancing the Salamis plan, which he said affects the safety of bathers and lifeguards. He argued that the state does not properly staff public beaches, despite imposing penalties for public swimming pools without lifeguards. Constantinou also stated that establishing a single beach security service, as proposed in the Salamis plan, could resolve these issues.
Peo general secretary Michalis Archontides echoed these sentiments, noting that beaches without lifeguards pose a security risk and endanger bathers’ lives. He referenced the Salamis plan, which outlines the placement of lifeguard towers, staffing requirements, and rescue times to improve safety and potentially save lives.
Around 150 professional lifeguards from across Cyprus protested outside the interior ministry, demanding more permanent positions, the implementation of the national plan ‘Salamis’, and the creation of a central beach service. They highlighted a lack of proper equipment such as life belts, first aid kits, and defibrillators, as well as the need for improved lifeguard towers and regular equipment servicing. The lifeguards also reported being understaffed and faced uncertainty regarding the duration of their contracts. They called for year-round staffing of beaches, noting that some cities have only a few permanent lifeguard positions.
Patrina Taramidou, the EU policy chief of the interior ministry, promised to initiate a dialogue with the lifeguards after discussing their demands with the interior minister and the ministry’s general director. The ministry previously stated it is evaluating the lifeguard protection system and considering managing it through a central body. Until a decision is made, the ministry suggested meeting needs through existing permanent posts and extending seasonal lifeguards’ employment duration.
Labour unions Sek and Peo supported the lifeguards. Sek general secretary Giorgos Constantinou criticized the ministry for delaying the implementation of decisions and the Salamis plan, emphasizing the safety implications for bathers and lifeguards. He suggested that a single beach security service could resolve the operational issues. Peo general secretary Michalis Archontides highlighted the security risks at beaches without lifeguards, referencing the Salamis plan’s guidelines for lifeguard tower placement, staffing, and rescue times.