On Thursday, the House of Representatives plenary session unanimously approved the amended regulations on swimming pools, which, on a transitional basis, the requirement for the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation to recognize or certify the diplomas and certificates held by lifeguards working at public swimming pools.

The regulations amend the existing framework so that, for the employment of safety supervisors at recreational swimming pools, sports facilities, hotels, and other tourist accommodations no longer requires certification of lifeguard diplomas by the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation.

Specifically, the provision stipulating that a lifeguard diploma or certificate must be issued by a school recognized either by the Cyprus Lifesaving Federationor by a competent authority of a European Union member state and, furthermore, be certified by the Federation itself.

This provision is transitional in nature and will remain in effect until a permanent and institutionally comprehensive solution is developed for the system of licensing and recognition of lifeguards’ qualifications.

During the debate in the Plenary Session, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs, AKEL MP Aristos Damianou, stated that the Committee had made the safety of swimmers its top priority. As he said, the state is currently unable to meet the need for adequately trained lifeguards, and for years there has been a flaw in the system. He expressed the view that the involvement of the Cyprus Employment Agency (AnAD) would address the issues of lifeguard training and certification, and he expressed the hope that the government would return with a comprehensivebill, noting that a related bill sponsored by former AKEL MP Evanthia Savva is currently pending.

DIKO Parliamentary Spokesperson Panikos Leonidou stated that the regulations primarily concern safety at swimming pools and the protection of human life. He noted that the transitional measure is a necessary solution, particularly during the tourist season, but that it should not lead to a relaxation of the essential requirements for training, certification, and inspection. He recalled that seven years ago, together with former Member of Parliament E. Savva, he had submitted a comprehensive bill regarding the lifeguard profession, which, as he said, could serve as the basis for a comprehensive reform that would regulate the profession, labor rights, training, and adequate staffing of lifeguard services.

The president of “Alma,” Odysseas Michailidis, criticized the government because, as he said, bringing the issue before Parliament in the middle of summer, essentially calling for the abolition of the existing certification due to a shortage of lifeguards. He noted that instead of presenting a reliable alternative for lifeguard certification, the dilemma presented was either to have no lifeguards at all or to have people working without credible certification. He added that he would approve the regulations, expecting the government to present a sufficient and permanent solution starting in September.

Dimitris Souglis, a member of parliament for Direct Democracy, described the changes as a temporary solution, which is deemed necessary to prevent tragic incidents due to a lack of lifeguards. He emphasized, however, that a definitive and effective solution is needed to address a problem that has persisted for decades, noting that the issue runs deeper and is linked both to the various lifeguard federations and to other unresolved matters.

DISY MP Nikoletta Konstantinou stated that her party approves the regulations with the safety of citizens in mind and to put an end to an existing distortion. At the same time, she called on the government to submit a new, comprehensive, and effective legislative framework in a timely manner.

The amending regulations were approved by the Plenary with 51 votes in favor.

Source: CNA