Newsroom
Cyprus is continuing to face difficulties in recruiting enough seasonal lifeguards, with the most significant staffing gaps recorded in Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca.
Andreas Karvounis, an officer with the Ministry of Interior’s Beach Safety Unit, told the Cyprus News Agency that 377 lifeguard positions were approved for this year. Of those, 107 are permanent posts, while the remainder are seasonal positions lasting between three and 11 months.
The shortest contracts are proving the hardest to fill. According to Karvounis, three- and four-month positions are particularly difficult to attract applicants for, as people seeking more stable employment are less likely to take up short-term work.
The three-month posts have traditionally attracted students and others looking for work specifically during the summer. The limited duration, however, can make these positions less appealing to candidates seeking longer-term employment.
The staffing situation differs between districts. Nicosia has managed to fill all of its positions, partly because it has a relatively small number of posts. Famagusta has some vacancies, while Paphos, Limassol and Larnaca account for the largest shortages.
Lifeguard working hours also vary from beach to beach. Schedules are determined according to factors such as the number of visitors, the level of risk at each location and the number of staff available.
The Ministry of Interior reviews staffing requirements each year using figures from previous seasons and seeks to fill as many approved positions as possible. Karvounis said officials are also considering whether changes to the current arrangements could help address the difficulty in recruiting people for three-month positions.
