A group representing gynaecologists and obstetricians in Cyprus have hit out against the Social Insurance Services over claims that pregnant mothers must give birth on Mondays so they won’t lose out on benefits.

In a letter dated March 29, the President of the Cyprus Gynaecology and Obstetrics Society (CGOS) Marios Liasides and Vice President Riana Galinou brought what they described as the ‘laughable matter’ to the attention of the Director of Social Insurance Theofanis Tryfonos. The same letter was also forwarded to parliament.

“We have been made aware that gynaecologists had to certify that mothers in Cyprus gave birth on Monday so they wouldn’t lose any benefits,” read the letter.

Liasides said that when pregnant women complete the application forms for maternity subsidies, they ask their gynaecologists to give the expected day of birth as a Monday so they don’t lose any of their benefits.

Liasides went on to describe how relative communication with Permanent Secretary of the Labour Ministry, Andreas Ashiotis, and subsequent articles in the local media had no effect on the issue.

“After speaking with officials who also found the specific regulation laughable we were advised to direct our enquiries to you (Tryfonos) as the most competent to make the necessary adjustments to the specific regulation,” continued the letter.

According to the existing law, a mother receives maternity benefits for 18 weeks. In order for the benefits to be paid, a week is considered to start on a Monday and ends on Sunday.

Tryfonos on his part said that 18 weeks of benefits are paid out irrespective of the day on which a woman gives birth.