Lesotho is a landlocked nation enclaved by South Africa. Its official name is the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: Naha ea Lesotho). It is a hilly nation with the highest mountains in Southern Africa, located in the Maloti Mountains. Lesotho has a population of roughly 2 million people and an area of little more than 30,000 km2 (11,600 sq mi). Maseru is its capital and major city. Sesotho and English are the official languages.
Lesotho was originally known as the British Crown Colony of Basutoland, but on October 4, 1966, it proclaimed independence from the United Kingdom. It is now a fully autonomous state that belongs to the UN, the Commonwealth of Nations, the African Union, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Lesotho translates approximately as "land of the Sotho."
Employment contracts in Lesotho can be oral or written, but it is better to have a robust, written contract in English that details the employee's remuneration, perks, and termination criteria.
The following are the required notice periods. The notice period is one month for employment of one year or more. The notice period is two weeks for employment lasting more than six months but less than one year. The notice period is one week for employment of less than six months.
The Labour Code establishes a four-month probationary period as the maximum. After completing the probationary period successfully, the employment automatically converts to a permanent position for an indefinite period.
The severance payment is tantamount to half of the monthly salary of the employee multiplied by the number of years the employee has worked for the company.
In a five- or six-day reference period, normal working hours are 45 hours per week. Daily working hours are 9 hours for a five-day workweek, while for a six-day workweek, daily working hours are 8 hours for five days and 5 hours for the sixth.
Working hours provisions do not apply to employees in family businesses or to employees in management positions.
Compensation for working on a weekly rest day/public holiday is 100%, which means that workers earn 200 percent of their normal wage rate on weekly rest days and/or public holidays. Employers have the option of paying double wages or providing a fully compensated compensatory rest day on public holidays.
Overtime (time worked in excess of normal working hours) is permitted only in exceptional and time-limited circumstances. Overtime work in general cannot exceed 11 hours per week, with the exceptions noted above.
Overtime pay is paid in addition to the employee's pay for comparable work performed during normal working hours. The overtime supplement is at least 25%, which means that employees are compensated at 125 percent of their regular wage for overtime hours worked.
Lesotho's minimum wage varies according to sector and can range between 686 and 5,711 maloti per month.
When creating a Lesotho benefits management plan, your first priority should be to include statutory benefits. Employees have the right to at least 12 working days of annual leave per year, or one day for every month of continuous employment with your company. They can also choose to receive a cash payment and take only six days of statutory annual leave. Lesotho also observes ten public holidays, which are required to be paid days off for employees under the Public Holidays Act.
Maternity leave should be at least 14 weeks long, and female employees should be paid at least two-thirds of their regular salary while on leave. Employees should have free access to medical and midwife care, and they should be protected from dismissal or other discriminatory treatment while on leave.
Lesotho is a tax-free jurisdiction. Corporations are not subject to income, capital gains, profit, or other types of direct taxes, regardless of their residency status.
Lesotho is a tax-free jurisdiction. Corporations are not subject to income, capital gains, profit, or other types of direct taxes, regardless of their residency status.
Lesotho is a tax-free jurisdiction. Corporations are not subject to income, capital gains, profit, or other types of direct taxes, regardless of their residency status.
According to the Lesotho visa rules, certain passengers who want to enter the Lesotho border must apply for an e-Visa before arrival. This visa was created in order to provide the Lesotho government the ability to let visitors into the nation.
The Lesotho visa policy includes the e-Visa, which enables people to get this visa and utilize it to enter the country. Following acceptance, you will be entitled to enter, travel through, or reside in Lesotho, as well as depart Lesotho, according to the terms of your visa.
There are various standards that must be satisfied in order to get a Lesotho visa, and the application's success is reliant on certain facts. The nation from which the passenger holds a passport, the amount of time the traveler wishes to remain, and the reason for the traveler's visit to Lesotho are all required. Lesotho's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just established the e-Visa, which is now accessible to nationals of over 100 countries. The e-Visa lets visitors to Lesotho for either tourism or commercial reasons, and allows them to remain in the Kingdom of Lesotho for up to 30 days each entry.
This procedure is completed entirely online and is a simple method to use. Once issued, this e-Visa is an electronic visa that must be shown to immigration officers upon arrival in Lesotho.
There are several countries that are excluded from the Lesotho visa policy, and its citizens do not need to apply for a visa before visiting the country. This list includes a large number of nations, which may be found below.
Lesotho's visa policy includes just one kind of visa. Travelers planning to visit Lesotho who do not have a passport that qualifies them for a visa exemption must apply online.
Employment contracts in Lesotho may be oral or written, but it is best practice to have a firm, written contract in English that specifies out the conditions of the employee's remuneration, benefits, and termination criteria in place. In Lesotho, an offer letter and job contract should always mention the salary and any other remuneration amounts in Lesotho Loti rather than a foreign currency.
There is no set length for assignments. This is usually indicated in the employment contract for fixed-term employments.
Lesotho loti (LSL)
South African rand (SAR)
The establishment of a subsidiary in Lesotho has become simpler and less time-consuming because to the country's One-Stop Business Facilitation Centre. However, learning how to establish up a Lesotho subsidiary and determining which rules you must obey remains a complex procedure. We propose that you start by searching for a potential site for your subsidiary. Varied cities or areas in Lesotho may have unique subsidiary laws, much as states in the United States may have different legislation. Always select an area with the best laws.
Next, choose the sort of subsidiary that will best serve your company's objectives. A limited liability corporation (LLC) is the most common entity and will provide you with the most flexibility and a wide variety of operations. However, if you simply need to conduct a few things in Lesotho, you may want to seek a different incorporation structure.
The following stages are included in the Lesotho subsidiary establishment process:
1. Making a letter of intent to do business in Lesotho
2. Creating an appointment letter from your company's headquarters
3. Providing a resumé, work permit, and proof of identification for a corporate representative
4. submitting an application for the establishment of the firm
5. Creating incorporation articles
6. Registering a one-of-a-kind business name with the Registrar
According to Lesotho's subsidiary rules, all LLCs must have at least one shareholder, with a maximum of 50 for registration. Under the Companies Act, your company's directors will be held accountable for the violation of duty of its shareholders. Any big deals must also be approved by shareholders through a special resolution.
Lesotho residents must possess at least 51 percent of a company's shares for specified trade permits or purchase of a title to property through lease from the government if the country want to encourage their employment. Every year, your company's financial accounts must be audited by a licensed auditor.
