Life guards on duty for Easter

According to the Ministry of Tourism, this assurance was given by the National Union of Government and Federated Workers’ (NUGFW).

The Ministry stated that rostered lifeguards and beach safety officers are expected to patrol the beaches of Los Iros, Vessigny and Quinam and ambulances have been stationed at Mayaro, Manzanilla, and Maracas in case of emergency. All beaches are equipped with first aid equipment and supplies, the Ministry said.

In addition, lifeguards will be using rescue craft and jet skis to patrol the waters and advise swimmers on any possible unsafe condition.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has assured that over the last few months, several initiatives had been put in place to settle outstanding issues with the lifeguards including the paying of arrears of wages, premiums and allowances to the lifeguards and the filling of vacant positions.

“While the Ministry is committed to filling all vacant positions, it is constrained by the impending enactment of the Occupational Health and Safety Act which requires that the employer must provide adequate facilities for the health and safety of its employees,” the Ministry stated in a release.

Such facilities, the Ministry said, have to be constructed at the Los Iros, Quinam and Vessigny beaches. The Tourism Ministry is responsible for specific beaches like Mayaro, Manzanilla, Salibya, Maracas, Tyrico, Las Cuevas, Los Iros, Vessigny and Quinam while the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) is responsible for all beaches in Tobago.