For a half-hour relaxation massage - 35 euros, for an hour - 65 euros, for a mixed massage - 100 euros, electrostimulation of muscles from 20 to 40 euros, chocolate massage 55 euros... This, among other things, is written on the advertising board of an Ulcinj swimming pool on Velika plaža, despite the fact that the Public Enterprise for the Management of Marine Assets has not provided facilities or locations for the provision of physiotherapy and massage services on city beaches.
"At all swimming pools in the municipality of Ulcinj, there are no designated locations for the provision of massage services, but they are performed without permission and approval," reads the answer of the PR service of JP to the questions of "Vijesti".
Well-known physiotherapist from Ulcinj Srdjan Kuzman he says that there are almost no baths or hotels in Ulcinj that do not provide this type of service, but that in fact, as he claims, they are mostly fronts for prostitution.
"It is completely logical when you look at the astronomical prices of those services. For a chocolate massage, which can only be adequately performed in SPA centers, which even laymen know, you need to allocate 55 euros. That is five euros more than the cost of one full day in Igalo with sleep, breakfast, lunch and dinner and three or five massages, performed by experienced professionals. Should we add something there", Kuzman asked.
Knowledge and professionalism questionable
He stated that a uniform is necessary to perform that activity.
"Some of these girls massage barefoot and in dresses, shorts or bikinis. There is no 'p' from professionalism, but often no 'z' from knowledge either," claims Kuzman.
He says that it is interesting that, despite everything, there are more and more so-called therapists every summer.
"It is also worrying that these services are provided mostly by people who are not qualified for that job, so the risk of injury is clearly foreseeable. In addition, there are no minimum hygienic or sanitary conditions for the performance of this activity anywhere on the beaches".
Kuzman pointed out the example of electrostimulation of muscles, which costs between 20 and 40 euros at the baths.
"In salons that have work permits, and therefore all the necessary sanitary conditions, the service performed by a professional costs around 10 euros," he said.
He stated that even he, who has a license from the Chamber, could not and should not provide that type of service on the beaches, that is, in places where there are no conditions for it.
"Besides, in order to provide that kind of service, a degree from the appropriate faculty is necessary. Here, I am waiting for the competent inspection to check how many of them have a diploma or license".
President of the Association of Tenants of Ulcinj Baths Prelja Škrelja he said that it is not advisable to have improvised cabins or facilities for providing physiotherapy and massage services on the beaches for the simple reason that, as he stated, there are no conditions for that.
"We don't have the conditions for that... I extended the offer on the beach to include this type of service a long time ago, but I was warned and since then I'm not interested in it," the tenant of the famous "Kopacabana" told "Vijesta".
He said that in order to carry out this activity, the facilities provided for it must be impeccably clean and tidy.
"There must be a sanitary facility, hands must be washed before each treatment... Then all kinds of people come to do that work, and many of them don't even know how to do it".
Chamber: Degradation of the profession
The Chamber of Physiotherapists of Montenegro points out that the provision of such services on beaches represents an unpopular trend of promotion and degradation of the profession.
President of the Chamber Nataša Matković she said that the provision of health care in Montenegro, according to valid legal solutions, is exclusively recognized in health institutions by licensed health workers.
"Whether someone violates the law and carries out activities outside of their qualifications and without certain licenses for the provision of services is exclusively the job of competent inspections from the Directorate for Inspection Affairs (UIP). The Chamber receives a considerable number of applications during its term and, within its jurisdiction, forwards them to the UIP. The provision of services of this type on the beaches represents an unpopular trend in the promotion of the profession, which, through the gray zone and abuse of representation, degrades the profession at its root," she told "Vijesta".
She added that the Chamber, in synergy with other institutions, will continuously fight this problem.
She stated that cooperation with the media is also necessary for this type of struggle, in order to protect citizens and tourists from potential problems that may arise from the provision of inadequate services in an inappropriate place.
"Therefore, I appeal to all potential service users to take care when choosing a 'therapist' and whether he is really a licensed therapist who operates in accordance with the laws of Montenegro."
The inspection is silent
The UIP "Vijesta" did not receive answers to the questions of whether competent inspections control the work of masseurs on the beaches of Ulcinj, whether the UIP is responsible for issuing work permits, whether it is allowed to work at swimming pools in general, bearing in mind the strict standards prescribed by law, that do they have a record of how many people perform that work, where do they come from, do they have the appropriate work license or other documentation, how many people have been registered for illegal work, how many fines have been imposed on that basis and in what amounts?
Nataša Matković said that the issue that raises doubts is the way of registering the provision of such services.
"A large number of applications is that in beauty salons, fitness centers, and companies registered for body treatments, physical medicine and rehabilitation work is performed. And within the body treatment, they definitely find a connection with massages that they potentially use to obtain monetary gain. Therefore, it is necessary to examine all allegations and operational findings, whether someone is conducting such types of services and how they are registered to provide them".
The chamber, she added, will continue to continuously forward every application received at its address to the competent services in that area.
"And through public information, continue to raise citizens' awareness of the way and selection of their potential physiotherapists. All with the aim of providing adequate health care and preventing unwanted consequences from abuse of this profession".
In the Law on Sanitary Inspection, it is written that facilities that are subject to inspection supervision are also facilities where the activity of providing care services and beautification of the face and body is carried out.
Such facilities must have a sanitary permit for use. The sanitary inspector determines whether facilities that are subject to sanitary supervision meet the sanitary and hygienic requirements for performing activities. The obligation of the sanitary inspector is to prohibit the use of premises or part of the premises, facilities and devices that do not meet the prescribed sanitary and hygienic conditions for the performance of activities.
The inspector's obligation is also to prohibit the work of persons who are subject to a mandatory health examination and who do not have proof of health status issued by an authorized health institution, or who endanger the health of the population.
Maritime Dob inspectors will check the work
In "Morski dobr" they point out that the inspectors will check whether there are any illegal businesses at the Ulcinj swimming pools.
"Based on your inquiry, the controllers of the Service for Control and Sustainable Development of the Public Enterprise Morsko dobro will control the Velika and Mala beaches in the municipality of Ulcinj, all with the aim of establishing the provision of massage services at these locations. According to the situation found, the controllers will inform the competent inspection services in order to undertake activities within their jurisdiction", "Vijesti" replied.
It is also worrying that these services are provided mostly by people who are not qualified for the job, so the risk of injury is clearly foreseeable. In addition, there are no minimum hygienic or sanitary conditions for the performance of this activity anywhere on the beaches
Bonus video:
