In Lesotho, employers are required to provide a specific set of benefits to their employees. Understanding these requirements is crucial for operating compliantly in the country.

Paid Leave

• Annual Leave: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 12 working days of paid annual leave each year, or one day for every month of continuous service. They can also opt to receive a cash payment in exchange for taking only six days of leave.
• Public Holidays: Lesotho observes 11 public holidays. Employees are entitled to paid time off on these days as mandated by the Public Holidays Act.
• Sick Leave: During the first six months of employment, sick leave is unpaid. After six months, employees are entitled to 12 days of fully paid sick leave and up to 24 days of half-paid sick leave within a 12-month period.
• Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to a minimum of 14 weeks of maternity leave, with at least two-thirds of their salary paid during this period. There is no statutory paternity leave in Lesotho.

Social Security Contributions

Lesotho has a mandatory social security system with contributions from both employers and employees:

• National Pension Scheme: Employers and employees each contribute 10% of the employee's earnings to the National Pension Scheme.
• National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF): Employers contribute 2% and employees contribute 1% of the employee's earnings to the NHIF.

Other Mandatory Benefits

• Probationary Period: The Labour Code allows for a probationary period, but its length requires written permission from the Labour Commissioner.
• Notice Period: A minimum notice period is required before termination of employment. This notice period varies depending on the length of service.
• Severance Pay: Employees with over one year of service are entitled to a minimum of two weeks' wages as severance pay, capped at a specific amount. However, severance pay is not required for termination due to misconduct.

In Lesotho, employers often provide optional benefits to attract and retain top talent, going beyond the statutory framework outlining mandatory benefits for employees.

Additional Health Insurance

While health insurance is a significant benefit, companies may offer group health insurance plans that cover employees and sometimes their dependents. This can significantly improve employee well-being and financial security.

Extended Paid Time Off (PTO)

Although Lesotho mandates a minimum of 10 days of paid leave per year, employers can enhance this benefit by providing additional paid time off for vacation, sick leave, and personal days. Offering generous PTO allows employees to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Various Allowances

Employers often offer various allowances to their employees. These can include:

• Housing allowance: This helps offset housing costs, a significant expense in urban areas.
• Transport allowance: This can cover commuting costs, especially if public transportation is limited or unreliable.
• Meal allowance: This helps employees with meal expenses during work hours.

These allowances can significantly boost employees' take-home pay and improve their overall financial well-being.

Additional Benefits

Employers may offer additional benefits to attract and retain talent. These can include:

• Subsidized lunches: This can be a cost-effective way to improve employee morale and productivity.
• Wellness programs: These programs can promote employee health and well-being through fitness initiatives, health screenings, and educational workshops.
• Flexible work arrangements: This allows employees to work remotely or have flexible hours, improving work-life balance and potentially attracting a wider talent pool.
• Discounted products or services: Companies may offer their employees discounts on their products or services.

In Lesotho, labor laws do not mandate health insurance for employees. This implies that employers are not legally obligated to provide health insurance coverage for their workers.

However, some employers in Lesotho offer health insurance as part of their employee benefits package, even though it's not a requirement. This is typically a group health insurance plan that covers employees and, in some cases, their dependents.

Employees also have the option to purchase individual health insurance plans from private providers.

Factors to Consider

Private healthcare in Lesotho can be expensive. Health insurance can help employees manage these costs in case of illness or injury. Additionally, many employees value health insurance as a crucial benefit. Offering health insurance can be a significant factor for attracting and retaining talent.

In Lesotho, retirement savings are approached through a dual system, encompassing both public and private schemes.

Public Pension Scheme

The Lesotho Revenue Authority (LRA) manages a mandatory public pension scheme. All employed individuals in Lesotho contribute to this scheme, which provides a basic level of income security upon retirement. The qualifying age to receive a public pension is 70 years old, and individuals must not be receiving any other public pension.

Private Retirement Plans

In addition to the public scheme, Lesotho permits private retirement savings options. Employers can establish voluntary, contributory retirement plans for their employees. These plans are often defined contribution plans, where both employer and employee contribute a portion of the employee's salary towards their retirement savings. Employees can also choose to open individual retirement accounts with private financial institutions. These accounts allow for personal contributions towards retirement savings and may offer tax benefits.

Benefits of Private Retirement Plans

Private plans enable employees to accumulate a larger retirement nest egg compared to the public pension alone. Many private plans offer investment options allowing individuals to tailor their risk tolerance and potential returns.

Choosing the Right Retirement Plan

The optimal retirement plan for an employee depends on various factors, including their salary, risk tolerance, and desired retirement lifestyle. Consulting with a financial advisor can be beneficial when navigating retirement savings options in Lesotho.