Fed up and frustrated over what they claim has been absolutely no representation from National Security Minister Edmund Dillon, members of the Lifeguards Association of T&T are demanding that they be removed from that ministry and be placed back under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government.
The call was made at a press conference yesterday at the National Union of Government and Federated Workers (NUGFW), Henry Street, Port-of-Spain.
The union's president, James Lambert, who led the charge and who called on Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to intervene said since Dillon first came into office last year, he had not met with the association, despite repeated requests to discuss problems.
Saying the association has been "abandoned" by Dillon Lambert added: "Since the Ministry of National Security came into office in September 2015 we have had one meeting with the then permanent secretary in May 2016 with the intention of having a subsequent meeting in July that year.
"Up to this date we have not had the opportunity of meeting with the permanent secretary or any high officer at the ministry.
“The business of operating lifeguards is unbecoming by that ministry and the Minister of National Security has not an iota pertaining to the lifeguards. He absolutely do not know what is happening and on several occasion we have tried to meet with him."
Due to the high crime rate, Lambert added, it appeared the National Security Ministry was "unable" to handle the problems facing lifeguards.
He said a few meetings were held with members of the Human Resources Department of the ministry but that also proved futile as no grievances were addressed since the department said no directive was given to address the problems.
Lifeguard and health and safety officer, Augustus Sylvester, who also spoke said there were about 120 lifeguards but that figure needed to reach at least 200 to man the nine beaches throughout the country properly.
He said out of the 120 only half work on weekends due to the shift system.
"Going to the public beaches is risking your life," Sylvester said, adding workers were also faced with continued late payments of salaries.
"That has been putting workers in a lot of financial debts as they have to pay the banks late fees for almost one year," Sylvester added.
He said the drowning of 23-year-old Javel James some two weeks ago at Maracas could have been avoided if there was motorised equipment.
Curtis Hernandez, the association's president, also complained that workers were not sent on their annual medical for the past year.
He said there was a jet ski for lifeguards at Maracas but two years have passed since it was sent to service.
"It went for service and never came back to this date," Hernandez added.
On what course of action the union intended to take Lambert said if the issues were not addressed then the necessary course of action would be taken.
In a press release yesterday the Ministry of National Security said it was aware of the problems facing the lifeguards, adding that it had held several talks with the union.
The ministry said it would hold another meeting to discuss the matters.