POPULATION
9.5m
CURRENCY
₣ (XOF)
CAPITAL CITY
Lomé
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic, is a country in West Africa. Known for its diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and rich history, Togo is a popular destination for tourism and cultural exploration. From the bustling streets of Lomé to the serene landscapes of the Togolese coast, Togo offers a wealth of cultural and natural attractions.
Togo's economy is largely based on agriculture, mining, and services. The country is a major exporter of goods and a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from around the world with its beautiful cities, historic sites, and world-renowned cuisine.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this content. It is not legal advice and shall not be relied on as such.
Employment contracts are concluded freely and recorded in forms convenient for the contracting parties to adopt. When written, the employment contract is drawn up in the official language of the Togolese Republic and is exempt from all stamp and registration duties. The employment contracts must mention the sectoral collective agreement to which it is subject or to default, the Interprofessional collective agreement. Contracts must also include the provision for trial periods in writing. Contracts concluded to be executed in the territory of the Togolese Republic and drawn up in a foreign language are translated into the official language of the Togolese Republic. Fixed-term contracts must be concluded in writing.
Employment contracts are concluded freely and recorded in forms convenient for the contracting parties to adopt. In the absence of a written document, proof of the existence of the contract can be provided by any means.
Employment contracts are concluded freely and recorded in forms convenient for the contracting parties to adopt. In the absence of a written document, proof of the existence of the contract can be provided by any means.
The standard weekly working hours are 40 hours in Togo. The legal working hours on agricultural farms are set at 2400 hours per year. The government grants a special exemption in certain strategic sectors with strong economic and social impact, increasing the weekly working time to 48 hours. The daily duration of work cannot exceed 10 hours. Hours worked beyond this duration are considered overtime hours, giving entitlement to a salary increase.
When it is necessary to carry out preparatory or additional work essential to the general activity of the company and which cannot be carried out within the limit of the normal daily working hours, employees assigned to said work may be allowed to work beyond the maximum duration, within the maximum daily limit of 12 hours.
New Year's Day - January 1
Employment contracts in Togo can include a probationary period to evaluate the professional qualities of employees or for employees to assess the work conditions, life, remuneration, hygiene, safety and health at work, etc. The probationary period must be expressly mentioned in the employment contract, and its possible renewal notified for the same or shorter period.
Probationary period for long-term fixed-term contracts cannot exceed 1 month and is non-renewable. The duration of the probationary period in case of permanent contracts is as follows:
Except for specific clauses in the employment contract or collective agreements, the probation provided for in the contract can end at any time by the will of either party, without reason or compensation, subject to compliance with a notice period of 48 hours.
Permanent employment contracts can be terminated by either party by giving notice to the other party. Unless more favorable provisions of conventions or collective work agreements, the duration minimum notice period is equal to:
During the notice period, employers and employees are required to respect all obligations incumbent upon them. Employees are entitled to 1 day off per week during notice for searching for new jobs. Employees are entitled to compensation in lieu of a notice period if it is not followed or partially implemented.
Permanent employees who have worked for at least a year for the same employer have the right to severance pay at the termination of their employment contract, except in case of serious misconduct. The amount of severance pay is calculated as follows:
In Togo, the guaranteed interprofessional minimum wages (SMIG) are set by the decree of the Minister responsible for labor after advisory opinion from the National Labor Council. In determining the rate of minimum wages, the needs of employees and their families, the general level of wages in the country, the cost of living and its fluctuations, social security benefits, economic order, the requirements of economic development, productivity, and level of employment are taken into account.
The SMIG and SMAG (Guaranteed Minimum Agricultural Wage) are set to XOF 302.89 (West African CFA Francs) per hour or XOF 52,500 per month as of January 2023.
Hours worked beyond the maximum duration of 40 hours a week are considered overtime hours, giving entitlement to a salary increase. Overtime hours cannot exceed 20 hours per week. Overtime pay rates are determined in collective agreements.
According to the Interprofessional Collective Agreement of 2011, employers are
required to pay overtime compensation to their employees at the following rate:
In case of overtime work at night, employees are entitled to overtime compensation at the following rate:
Togo offers its visitors the following four types of visa depending on the reason for travel:
Foreign nationals who wish to work in Togo must obtain an immigration visa and then apply for a residence permit upon arrival. They must submit an entry authorization issued by the Ministry of Security. There are 3 types of residence permits available to applicants:
Population 9.5m
Population in total, including all residents regardless of legal status © 2024 - WBG • EUROSTAT
45.1%
Urban Population
37%
Internet access
57.4%
Banking access
76%
Mobile phone access
Population: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), uri: https://population.un.org/wpp/, publisher: UN Population Division; Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices, National Statistical Offices, uri: https://unstats.un.org/home/nso_sites/, publisher: National Statistical Offices; Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, Eurostat (ESTAT), uri: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database?node_code=earn_ses_monthly, publisher: Eurostat; Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), United Nations (UN), uri: https://unstats.un.org, publisher: UN Statistics Division
Urban Population: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN), uri: https://population.un.org/wup/, publisher: UN Population Division
Internet access: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, ITU (ITU), uri: https://datahub.itu.int/
Banking access: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • FINDEX, WBG (WB), uri: https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex
Mobile phone access: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database, ITU (ITU)
Employees acquire the right to paid leave at the rate of 2.5 days per month of effective service. The right to leave is acquired after a period of effective service of 1 year. However, the parties to the contract may agree to enjoy this right pro-rata after 6 consecutive months of work. Employees are paid compensation for their annual leave based on the average salary, excluding any bonuses.
The actual enjoyment of leave may be postponed by agreement of the parties without the duration of actual service, giving entitlement to leave may exceed 2 years.
In the case of termination or expiration of the contract before the employee has acquired the right to leave, compensation is granted in lieu of leave.
Employees are entitled to 5 days of fully paid sick leave annually. Sick leave for long-term illness depends on the service of the employee as follows:
Employees have the right to suspend their employment contracts for 14 weeks at the time of their delivery, including 6 weeks after delivery. When the birth takes place after the date which was presumed, the leave taken previously is, in all cases, extended until the effective date, and the duration of the leave to be taken necessarily after childbirth is not reduced. The suspension can be extended by 3 weeks in case of duly documented illness resulting from pregnancy, childbirth, or in case of multiple pregnancies or for causes concerning the child's health.
During the suspension period, employees are entitled to compensation equal to the salary they received at the time of the suspension; the National Social Security Fund pays half the salary, and the other half is the employer's responsibility. The employer cannot terminate the employment contract of the female employee during the maternity leave.
Togo Labor Code does not provide for any paternity leave, however, the Interprofessional Collective Agreement provides 2 days of paid paternity leave to fathers in the event of birth of their child.
The legal retirement age is 60 years in Togo (55 years for permanent state employees). They must have at least 180 months of insurance and cease all salaried activities to be eligible for the old age pension. There is also an option of early retirement. The insured who have completed at least 12 months of insurance and have reached the age of 60, and cease all salaried activity even though they do not meet the condition of 180 months of insurance receive an old-age allowance in a single payment.
The annual amount of the old age or early pension is equal to 20% of the average annual remuneration of the employee during the 5 years before retirement. If the total months of insurance and exceeds 180, the percentage is increased by 1.33% for each period of 12 months beyond 180 months. The minimum pension amount is 60% of the guaranteed minimum Interprofessional wage, and the maximum is 80%.
The old age allowance is a lump sum of the insured’s average monthly earnings in the last 5 years multiplied by the number of 12-month coverage periods. The pension is funded by contributions to social security made by employees and employers.
Togo's National Social Security Fund grants pensions to survivors of its insured members who die. The deceased member must have been receiving or entitled to an old-age or disability pension or had at least 180 months of insurance for survivors to be eligible for a pension. Eligible survivors include spouses aged 40 or more who were married to the deceased member for at least 1 year, or had a child with the deceased, or was pregnant at the time of death, and dependent children up to the age of 16 years or 21 years if they are a student or disabled. The survivors receive a lump sum allowance if the deceased member was not eligible for a pension or had less than 180 months of insurance.
The amount of pension granted to the surviving spouse is equal to 50% of the pension the deceased member received or was entitled to. The pension ceases upon remarriage. In the case of dependent children, the pension amount is 25% of the pension the deceased member received or was entitled to.
Survivors are also eligible for benefits in case of the death of an employee due to a work accident or occupational disease. The amount of pension granted to the surviving spouse is equal to 50% of the pension the deceased member received or was entitled to for disability due to a work accident. In the case of dependent children, the amount of the pension is 40% of the pension the deceased member received or was entitled to receive.
Togo's National Social Security Fund grants disability pensions to its insured members who become disabled before 60. They must have completed at least 120 months of insurance with the Fund, including 6 months during the last 12 calendar months preceding the start of the incapacity leading to disability. The insured person recognized as disabled and who has completed less than 120 months of insurance may claim a disability allowance in the form of a single payment if they have a disability level of 66% or more.
The annual amount of the old age or early pension is equal to 20% of the average annual remuneration of the employee during the 5 years before retirement. If the total months of insurance and exceeds 180, the percentage is increased by 1.33% for each period of 12 months beyond 180 months. The minimum pension amount is 60% of the guaranteed minimum Interprofessional wage, and the maximum is 80%.
In case of disability due to a work accident or occupational disease, employees are entitled to benefits depending on the degree and type of disability. They are also entitled to reimbursement of costs relating to health care following their work accident and other related costs.
The minimum age for employment is 15 years in Togo. Children above the age of 15 years can perform light work. Employers must send a prior declaration to the labor and law inspector, who has a period of 8 days to notify their possible disagreement. It is prohibited to hire employees under the age of 18 for night work. Young employees must also have a rest period of at least 12 hours between 2 consecutive work days.
In all cases, the worst forms of child labor are prohibited. The labor and social laws inspector may require the examination of young employees by a medical labor inspector or by an approved doctor to check whether the work they are responsible for does not exceed their capabilities.
Unemployment 1.9%
Share of the labor force that is unemployed, but available for and seeking employment © 2024 - WBG • ILO
58.1%
Labor force population share
48%
Female share of labor force
44%
Healthcare access
Unemployment: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), ILO (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 07, 2025.
Labor force (total): The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • ILO (ILO), type: estimates based on external database; United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division; Staff estimates, WBG (WB)
Labor force population share: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • ILO Modelled Estimates database (ILOEST), ILO (ILO), uri: https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/bulk/, publisher: ILOSTAT, type: external database, date accessed: January 07, 2025
Female share of labor force: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • ILO (ILO), type: estimates based on external database; United Nations (UN), publisher: UN Population Division; Staff estimates, WBG (WB)
Healthcare access: The World Bank: World Development Indicators: World Bank Group • GHO, WHO (WHO), uri: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/topics/service-coverage
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