By Sue-Ann Wayow
THE lives of citizens visiting beaches should not be put at risk due to lifeguards walking off the job in protest of unsolved ongoing issues.
Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds on Monday appealed to the lifeguards to return to duties.
“The citizens must not be the rope in anybody’s tug-of-war,” he said in the Senate.
Hinds was answering an urgent question asked by Opposition Senator Wade Mark who inquired about contingency measures being put in place while the lifeguards said they will not go on duty at beach facilities at Maracas Bay, Las Cuevas, Manzanilla and Vessigny.
This notice comes just before the July/August vacation when many families would be visiting the beaches.
Hinds said it was not the first time lifeguards have walked off on their duties and the solution last time to have them return to work was to not pay them for their absent days.
The Ministry of National Security is the line ministry responsible for the lifeguards, while the Ministry of Tourism is responsible for the beach facilities.
He said the Ministry of National Security met with lifeguards earlier this year to discuss outstanding issues.
Hinds said, “From our perspective, there are a number of issues affecting the service including punctuality, attendance and general work ethic and service to the public.
“We are pursuing solutions to these issues which are under the active consideration of the Ministry of National Security in this regard. We have and we will continue to provide resources that the lifeguards need in order to effectively carry out their functions.”
Member of Parliament for Pointe-a-Pierre David Lee also issued a release on Sunday.
He said, “It is totally untenable, delinquent and unacceptable that both the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of National Security which is responsible for lifeguards are leaving citizens vulnerable as well as at fatal risk without any mechanisms to save their lives in the event of danger.”
Regardless of whatever issues with lifeguards, Government should seek to have them resolved at the soonest possible time so that lives can be protected.
Lee said, “The Opposition is firmly warning Minister Randall Mitchell and Minister Hinds that any harm or loss of life as a result of this breach of duty will be on their hands.”
When AZP News visited Maracas Bay on Sunday, there were no lifeguards present and beach goers including children were liming in the lifeguard booths although there are signs that stated: “Only Lifeguards Allowed.”
