Me Sandra Sonna, an employee who learns she is pregnant is entitled, often without knowing it, to several CNPS benefits. What are they and how do they apply from the beginning of pregnancy?


Upon announcement of the pregnancy, the first step concerns prenatal allowances. These are granted to any female employee, or spouse of a salaried worker, provided they undergo two mandatory medical exams: the first between the 3rd and 4th month of pregnancy, and the second between the 7th and 8th month. Financially, this represents 9 times the monthly family allowance rate. With the current amount set at 4,500 FCFA by Decree No. 2024/056 of February 21, 2024, the total amounts to 40,500 FCFA, paid in two equal installments of 20,250 FCFA after each exam. To benefit, one must submit a request on a CNPS form signed by the employee or her spouse, along with the two corresponding pregnancy certificates.



Having passed this stage of pregnancy, what happens concretely at the time of childbirth?


At birth, the mother is entitled to the maternity allowance, granted for every viable child born under medical supervision, provided the birth is declared to the CNPS within 12 months. This allowance equals 12 times the monthly family allowance rate, or approximately 54,000 FCFA. This is where a crucial clarification applies, especially for multiple births. Many mothers of twins or triplets believe only one allowance will be paid because it is a single delivery. This is a mistake that costs them money. Each viable child born entitles the mother to a separate allowance. For twins, this is not 54,000 FCFA, but 108,000 FCFA, provided each child is declared separately with their own birth certificate copy, in addition to the birth certificate and the CNPS request form.



The costs related to the health of the mother and newborn represent a significant expense. Does the CNPS also intervene on the medical front?


Absolutely. In addition to prenatal and maternity allowances, the CNPS covers part of medical expenses. This includes pregnancy follow-up exams, childbirth, and infant follow-up exams up to six months of age. These reimbursements take the form of flat rates that add to the allowances without replacing them. To qualify, one must submit a request on a CNPS form, a medical certificate of pregnancy or childbirth, and reimbursement request sheets co-signed by the doctor and the employee or her spouse.



What about the maternity leave period itself? This is often the most sensitive aspect for female employees.


This is indeed the most significant financial benefit, but also the least understood. It refers to daily maternity leave allowances. These are paid to any female employee who, at the moment of contract suspension for maternity leave, justifies at least 6 consecutive months of effective work with one or more employers. The amount equals the total salary actually received, ensuring full income maintenance. The legal duration of maternity leave is 14 to 15 weeks, extendable by 3 weeks in case of pathological postnatal complications.

Take the example of an employee with a gross salary of 200,000 FCFA: the reference daily salary, obtained by dividing by 30, is approximately 6,667 FCFA. Over a 14-week leave (98 days), the allowance paid by the CNPS amounts to approximately 653,000 FCFA.

However, beware of the frequent pitfall: an employee hired less than 6 months ago by her current employer at the time of childbirth is not eligible, even if she has sufficient seniority with a previous employer, provided she can rigorously prove it. The file requires a signed request, the certificate of the second exam indicating the presumed date of delivery, and the birth certificate.



Can all working women claim these social benefits? What about independent workers or the informal sector?


There is a major exclusion to know: voluntary insurance does not grant entitlement to these benefits. If you are an independent worker, actor in the informal sector, or voluntarily insured, these four benefits do not apply to you. Contributions from insured persons under the voluntary insurance scheme are exclusively destined for the pension branch and do not open entitlement to family benefits. Only salaried employees or spouses of salaried workers are entitled.



To conclude, what are the indispensable reflexes mothers must adopt to secure their rights with the CNPS?


 The first reflex is to declare pregnancy as early as possible and strictly respect the two medical exam dates (3rd-4th month and 7th-8th month) to avoid losing a fraction of prenatal allowances. Next, one must submit the request for daily maternity allowances as soon as maternity leave ends, without delay, to expedite payment. For multiple births, declare each child with their individual birth certificate. Above all, do not let files linger: these benefits have strict prescription periods, set at one year for prenatal allowances, maternity allowance, and medical expenses, and three years for daily maternity leave allowances. Anticipating and structuring one’s file remains the best guarantee of asserting one’s rights.


Propos recueillis par Bernardo

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