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Global HR Compliance in Togo

Hiring in Togo requires a practical understanding of how local employment operates in real life, not just what the law prescribes. Whether you’re entering the market to build a local sales presence or engaging workers with scarce technical skills, the structure of your employment relationships matters.

Foreign employers often underestimate the risks associated with informal arrangements or vague contracts. Togo’s labour regulations, while formal on paper, are often inconsistently enforced. However, when disputes do arise, over termination, unpaid leave, or ambiguous contracts, the burden typically falls on the employer.

This guide outlines the employment rules that apply in Togo, from contract types and working hours to termination and severance. It also explains how Acumen International’s Employer of Record (EOR) solution can help you engage local or foreign workers legally and efficiently, without setting up a company.

Working Hours

The legal workweek in Togo is capped at 40 hours. Workers must also receive weekly rest, usually Sunday, and a daily break after five consecutive hours.

Probation Period

The length of probation depends on role type:

  • One month (renewable once) for most employees
  • Three months (renewable once) for technical staff and supervisors
  • Six months (non-renewable) for managers
  • Eight days (renewable once) for hourly workers

Probation must be formalised in writing and is counted toward total service time for leave and benefits calculations.

Leave Entitlements

Annual Leave

Employees earn 2.5 days of paid leave per month, or 30 days annually. This right accrues from the first year, but leave can be granted earlier at the employer’s discretion. Payment must be made before leave starts.

Unused leave can be carried over for up to two years by mutual agreement. Employees leaving the company before using their leave are entitled to cash compensation.

Sick Leave

Employees are entitled to:

  • 5 days of short-term sick leave per year
  • Extended paid sick leave based on service:
    • Up to 1 month full pay (under 1 year of service)
    • 1 month full + 3 months half pay (1–5 years)
    • 2 months full + 4 months half pay (5–10 years)
    • 4 months full + 2 months half pay (10+ years)

These entitlements apply only with a doctor’s certificate.

Maternity and Paternity Leave

Maternity leave is 14 weeks (6 postnatal), with a possible extension of 3 weeks in case of complications or multiple births. Fathers are entitled to two days of paid paternity leave.

Minimum Wage

The statutory monthly minimum wage in Togo is CFA 35,000, unchanged since 2012. However, many sectors negotiate higher wages through collective agreements.

Overtime Pay

  • 20% premium for the first 8 overtime hours (41–48 hours/week)
  • 40% premium beyond 48 hours
  • 65% premium for work on Sundays and public holidays

Termination and Notice

Employment may be terminated for just cause (e.g., misconduct, redundancy) or mutual agreement. The law requires written notice and specific procedures:

  • 1 month notice for general staff
  • 3 months for supervisors and managers
  • 5 days for hourly workers

During the notice period, the employee continues regular duties but may take one day per week to look for another job.

For fixed-term contracts, early termination requires mutual consent or justification such as force majeure or serious misconduct.

Severance Pay

Togolese law does not mandate statutory severance outside of redundancy, but employees dismissed unfairly or without cause may claim damages. Entitlements depend on contract type, service duration, and circumstances of termination.

How Acumen International Can Help You Hire in Togo

Direct Employment Without a Local Entity
We serve as the legal employer of your staff in Togo, allowing you to hire and operate without establishing a subsidiary. You control daily work; we handle compliance.

Compliant Local Contracts and Payroll
We manage employment contracts, salaries, tax withholding, and social security registration in full accordance with Togolese law—adjusted as regulations change.

Custom Support for Specific Hiring Needs
Need to onboard workers in rural areas or support remote staff with travel allowances? We tailor your employment setup to fit your operational model.

Immigration and Sponsorship Support
When hiring foreign nationals in Togo, we sponsor work permits and manage documentation—ensuring legal right to work and timely onboarding.

Global Employment Cost Forecasting
Use our Global Payroll Calculator to estimate local employer costs and evaluate hiring options before entering the market.

One Partner Across 190+ Countries
If Togo is one of several markets you’re targeting, we offer centralised hiring infrastructure to simplify expansion across multiple jurisdictions.

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