The Portuguese Federation of Lifeguards (FEPONS) have warned that the lack of lifeguards is forcing 22 beach concessions in the south of the country to remain closed, raising the risk of drowning.
In a statement, FEPONS indicated that in the South, where the bathing season has already begun on most beaches, “there is an average of 45% of lifeguards still to be hired”, while in the North the average is 52% and in the Center of 44%, however in these areas most of the beaches “are not yet in the bathing season”.
According to FEPONS, in the south of the country there are 22 beach concessions that, “although already in the bathing season, were forced to remain closed due to the lack of lifeguards, which increases the risk of drowning.”
FEPONS says that so far, the State “has never legislated incentives for the lifeguard profession”, although this is provided for in the law, “which would increase interest in the profession, especially among students, who are the vast majority of professionals. The State “forced the wages of those professionals down” by launching tenders for their hiring, “whose only criterion is the lowest price, leading to the majority of these highly specialised technicians earning the national minimum wage”. The profession is not classified as a special career in the civil service, “which means that these professionals, when hired by the State, are classified as operational assistants, with the lowest salary in the civil service”.
The federation has asked for an “urgent review” of the sector's legislation, expressing its concern about a reduction in young people's interest in this area.
FEPONS warns that currently there are “fewer trainees leaving lifeguard courses and much less – around 49% – returning to work in the next bathing season”.
