KOCHI: If you are planning a trip to the pristine beaches of Kerala on November 21, better cancel it. Reason: The lifeguards won't be on duty on the day.Perhaps for the first time, lifeguards across the state's beaches will strike work on the day demanding their jobs be made permanent and the risk allowances which had been discontinued for a year now be re-established.
Though they have saved countless lives in their 10 years of service, the 140 lifeguards keeping a hawk eye on the state's beaches still work on daily wages and are supposed to serve 15 days a month. They were selected by the government via various tasks and training."Permanent employment, risk allowances, life insurance and the required equipment for rescuing are our main demands. We pleaded with alternate governments to address our needs but to no avail. We risk our lives to save thousands. It is a daring profession. We do it to make ends meet. The dangers can badly affect our lives, leaving behind our families with no source of income,” said Georgekutty Jose, a lifeguard at Cherai beach.
Equipment like the rescue tube and lifebuoy provided to lifeguards are three years old and almost dilapidated. “The profession has lots of risks involved. But the lifeguards are not provided with commensurate allowances. Their previous attempts to improve the situation were not given due consideration. The Tourism Department has limitations and the issue must be discussed and resolved at the ministry level. The strike may lead to a fruitful outcome for the lifeguards who are striving for what they deserve,” said P G Shivan, joint director of the Kerala Tourism Department.
Ahead of their proposed strike, the lifeguards staged 'Jalashayanam' at 4.30 pm the other day, during which they registered their protest by undertaking a 'hand-in-hand' exercise in the sea for half an hour on Kovalam beach (Thiruvananthapuram), Town beach (Kollam), Cherai beach (Ernakulam) and Payyambalam beach (Kannur).