Lifeguards receive delayed March wages

Kochi: Following weeks of financial uncertainty, on Tuesday, nearly 180 lifeguards across Kerala finally received their wages for March. The payment comes after TOI highlighted the plight of these essential frontline workers, prompting the tourism department to guarantee that such delays will not recur. In Ernakulam alone, there are 26 lifeguards, with eight of the personnel deployed at Fort Kochi beach.The delay was particularly taxing as it coincided with a period of high expenditure and increased workload. Lifeguards, who earn a daily wage of Rs 730, found themselves struggling to meet basic household expenses following the non-disbursal of their March salary. "We anticipated early payment due to the festive occasions like Easter and Vishu, instead, we were left struggling for nearly a month," a lifeguard noted. The situation was made worse by the rising costs of essential goods and a lack of support for job-related expenses. Despite the high-risk nature of their work, these personnel have not seen a pay hike in nearly a decade and are currently forced to pay roughly Rs 6,000 out of pocket for their own uniforms and related accessories. The importance of these guards cannot be overstated. Since their deployment in 2012, beach casualties have plummeted from 15 incidents per year to just one or two. Meanwhile, the tourism department cited a temporary fund shortage for the delay but claimed that the crisis was resolved. "An allocation of Rs 6.30 crore has been set aside to cover wages for the current financial year. The salaries will be disbursed promptly starting next month," a senior tourism official said. While the wages have been cleared, issues regarding basic amenities, such as the unopened toilet facility at Fort Kochi, remain a point of contention.