In Niger, labor laws mandate employers to provide a specific set of benefits to their employees. These benefits ensure employee well-being and adherence to fair labor practices.

Paid Time Off

• Annual Leave: Employees accrue paid annual leave after completing a minimum service period, typically one year. The standard entitlement is 22 days of paid annual vacation.
• Public Holidays: Employees are entitled to paid leave on all officially recognized national holidays in Niger. The number of holidays can vary slightly year-to-year, but there are typically around 12-13 public holidays annually.
• Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to a minimum of five paid sick days per year.
• Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. Six weeks are mandatory leave to be taken before the due date, and the remaining eight weeks can be used after childbirth. Employers contribute 50% of the maternity leave pay, with social security covering the remaining 50% if the employee has been with the company for at least two years.
• Paternity Leave: Fathers are entitled to one day of paid paternity leave per year.

Other Mandatory Benefits

• Overtime Pay: Work exceeding the standard workweek is considered overtime and must be compensated. Overtime pay rates are regulated by the National Minimum Wage Act. The first eight hours of overtime are paid at 110% of the regular hourly rate, and any subsequent overtime hours are paid at 135%.
• Social Security: Employers are required to contribute to their employees' social security benefits. This covers retirement pensions, medical benefits, and disability and death insurance.

In Niger, many employers go beyond statutory benefits to offer additional perks that attract and retain top talent. These optional employee benefits vary across different organizations and sectors.

Financial Benefits

• 13th-Month Bonus: This is an additional salary paid annually, a popular benefit in Niger. It serves as a significant financial boost for employees and is a major factor for many when considering job offers.
• Performance-Based Bonuses: Some employers offer quarterly or annual bonuses based on individual or company performance. This incentivizes employees to strive for better results.
• Mobile Phone Allowance: Employers may provide a mobile phone allowance or company phone to help employees stay connected for work purposes and improve communication.

Health and Wellness Benefits

• Voluntary Health Insurance: Some employers offer health insurance plans to cover medical expenses for employees and their dependents. This can significantly improve employee well-being and financial security.

Work-Life Balance Benefits

• Extended Unpaid Leave: Offering extended unpaid leave beyond statutory allowances can be a valuable benefit. This allows employees to manage personal commitments and return to work refreshed, leading to better performance.
• Additional Parental Leave: Offering extended parental leave beyond Niger's mandated maternity leave demonstrates employer support for work-life balance and a happier workforce.

In Niger, as of April 2024, employers are not required to provide health insurance to their employees. However, the government is considering changes that could impact this in the future.

Current Situation

At present, employees in Niger can access medical benefits through voluntary participation in community-based mutual health insurance organizations.

Anticipated Changes

The government of Niger has a national strategy for universal health coverage that was established in 2021 and is intended to span from 2021 to 2030. As part of this strategy, there are plans to introduce a contributory mandatory health insurance scheme. This proposed scheme would include not only public and private sector employees but also retirees and self-employed individuals.

In Niger, employees' retirement security is ensured through a mandatory social security scheme. This scheme is managed by the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS) and covers all salaried employees in the country. The benefits provided include old-age pensions, invalidity pensions, and death benefits. The scheme is funded through a combination of employer and employee contributions. The monthly pension amount is calculated based on a formula that considers average monthly earnings and contribution duration.

Employer-Sponsored Plans

In addition to the mandatory social security scheme, there are optional employer-sponsored plans. Some public sector employers and government agencies may offer defined benefit pension plans. These plans guarantee a specific retirement income based on salary and years of service.

On the other hand, private sector companies may offer defined contribution plans, similar to 401(k) plans in the US. In these plans, employees and employers contribute a set percentage of salary towards a retirement savings account. The final retirement benefit depends on the amount contributed and investment returns.

The availability and type of employer-sponsored plans can vary depending on the company and industry.