Employer of Record in Togo

An Employer of Record (EOR) in Togo is a company that legally hires employees on your behalf. If you want to hire someone in Togo but do not have a registered business there, you can use an EOR. The EOR handles all the legal and HR work, like payroll, taxes, and benefits. This means you can build a team in Togo without the time and expense of setting up a local entity. You still manage your employee's day-to-day work, while the EOR takes care of the employment paperwork. Rivermate is an EOR provider that can help you hire in Togo. You can learn more at https://rivermate.com/employer-of-record.

How an Employer of Record (EOR) Works in Togo

Using an EOR in Togo simplifies the process of hiring and managing employees. Here is a step-by-step guide to how it works:

• You Find the Talent: You identify the candidate you want to hire in Togo.
• The EOR Hires Them: The EOR legally hires the employee on your behalf under a compliant local contract.
• Onboarding: The EOR manages the onboarding process, ensuring all necessary paperwork is completed.
• Payroll and Benefits: The EOR handles all payroll, tax deductions, and social security contributions as required by Togolese law.
• Ongoing HR Support: The EOR continues to manage HR tasks and ensures ongoing compliance with local labor laws.

Why use an Employer of Record in Togo

Partnering with an Employer of Record in Togo offers several strategic advantages for your global growth. An EOR simplifies your entry into the Togolese market, allowing you to hire employees quickly and compliantly without the complexities of establishing a local entity.

• Fast-track hiring: Hire and onboard employees without setting up a local legal entity, saving time and resources.
• Reduce compliance risks: The EOR ensures adherence to all Togolese labor laws, tax regulations, and social security contributions.
• Outsource HR functions: The EOR handles payroll, tax filings, and benefits administration, simplifying your HR operations.
• Minimize administrative overhead: This allows your internal teams to focus on core business activities.
• Gain local expertise: Get expert insights into employment best practices and the cultural nuances of the Togolese workforce.

Rivermate's transparent pricing model eliminates complexity with a single, competitive monthly fee per employee. Unlike traditional PEO providers, our pricing in Togo includes comprehensive HR support, benefits administration, compliance management, and access to our proprietary dashboard for real-time workforce analytics. No hidden costs, no setup fees—just straightforward pricing that scales with your business needs while ensuring full legal compliance in Togo.

Hiring in Togo offers a unique opportunity to tap into a young and energetic workforce. The country is investing in its digital infrastructure and education, creating a growing pool of skilled professionals, particularly in the tech and service industries. French is the official language, but you'll find a rising number of young professionals are bilingual in English. This makes Togo an attractive location for businesses looking to expand their teams.

Employment contracts & must-have clauses

When you hire an employee in Togo, you should use a written employment contract in French. While oral agreements are recognized for indefinite-term contracts, a written document provides clarity and protection for both you and your employee. Contracts for a fixed term must be in writing.

There are two primary types of employment contracts in Togo:

• Indefinite-Term Contract (CDI): This is the standard type of contract for an ongoing role with no specified end date.
• Fixed-Term Contract (CDD): You can use this contract for a specific project or a set period.

Your employment contracts should include these essential clauses:

• Identification of both the employer and employee
• Job title and a clear description of duties
• Place of work
• Start date of employment
• Salary, bonuses, and any other benefits
• Working hours
• Probationary period, if applicable
• Notice period for termination

Probation periods

A probationary period allows you and your new hire to see if the role is a good fit. This period must be stated in the employment contract. The length of the probation period varies depending on the employee's role:

During the probationary period, either you or the employee can end the contract with a shorter notice period.

Working hours & overtime

The standard workweek in Togo is 40 hours. If an employee works beyond these hours, you must pay them overtime. The overtime rates are calculated as a percentage of their regular hourly wage:

• 41 to 48 hours: 20% more than the normal hourly rate
• Over 48 hours: 40% more than the normal hourly rate
• Sundays and holidays: 65% more than the normal hourly rate

Public & regional holidays

Your employees in Togo are entitled to paid time off for public holidays. The official public holidays in Togo are:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Liberation Day (January 13)
• Eid al-Fitr
• Easter Monday
• Independence Day (April 27)
• Labour Day (May 1)
• Eid al-Adha
• Whit Monday
• Martyrs' Day (June 21)
• Assumption of Mary (August 15)
• All Saints' Day (November 1)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

Some holidays, like Eid al-Fitr and Easter Monday, are based on lunar cycles and their dates change each year.

Hiring contractors in Togo

You can also engage independent contractors in Togo for project-based work. This offers flexibility and access to specialized skills without the long-term commitment of hiring a full-time employee.

However, it is crucial to correctly classify your workers. If you treat a contractor like an employee, you risk misclassification. This can lead to significant legal and financial penalties, including being liable for back taxes, social security contributions, and employee benefits.

An Employer of Record (EOR) can help you avoid these risks. An EOR can legally hire employees on your behalf, handling all the administrative tasks like payroll, taxes, and benefits. This ensures you comply with Togolese labor laws. For contractors, a Contractor of Record (CoR) service can manage payments and ensure your contracts are compliant, giving you peace of mind while you focus on growing your business.

In Togo, handling compensation and payroll means understanding the local rules. You need to pay your team correctly and on time while following the country's labor laws. This involves everything from running a monthly payroll to calculating taxes and social security contributions. It’s about making sure your employees get what they've earned and that you meet all your legal obligations as an employer.

Payroll cycles & wage structure

The standard payroll cycle in Togo is monthly. You typically pay employees once a month, often near the end of the month. Direct bank transfers are the most common payment method.

When you hire an employee, you must provide a written contract in French. This contract should clearly state their compensation in West African CFA Franc (XOF). Beyond the base salary, it's common for employees in Togo to receive other allowances. These can include funds for housing, transportation, or meals.

Overtime & minimums

The standard work week in Togo is 40 hours. Anything beyond that is overtime. The pay rates for overtime increase based on the number of extra hours worked.

• Hours 41 to 48: Paid at a 20% premium over the regular hourly wage.
• Beyond 48 hours: Paid at a 40% premium.
• Sundays and public holidays: Paid at a 65% premium.

As of early 2024, the government set the minimum monthly wage at XOF 35,000. Some sources may cite an older figure, so it's important to stay current.

Employer taxes and contributions

As an employer in Togo, you are responsible for contributing to social security for your employees. These contributions cover various social benefits. The total employer contribution is significant.

Source: Globalization Partners, Playroll

Employee taxes and deductions

Employees also contribute a portion of their salary to social security. You must withhold these amounts from their gross pay. Income tax is also deducted from an employee's salary and is based on a progressive scale.

Source: Playroll, Globalization Partners

In Togo, providing employee benefits and leave is a key part of managing your team. It's not just about following the rules. It's about creating a supportive work environment. Understanding the local labor laws helps you stay compliant and attract good people. This guide breaks down what you need to know about leave and benefits in Togo.

Statutory Leave

Togo's labor laws outline several types of required leave for employees.

• Annual Leave: Employees get 30 days of paid annual leave after one year of service. This leave is earned at a rate of two and a half days per month.
• Sick Leave: Employees are entitled to five days of paid sick leave each year. For longer illnesses, the law provides for extended leave. The amount of pay during this extended leave depends on how long the employee has worked for the company.
• Maternity Leave: Female employees receive 14 weeks of paid maternity leave. This is typically split into six weeks before and eight weeks after childbirth.
• Paternity Leave: Fathers can take up to two days of paid leave.
• Other Leave: The law may also provide for short periods of paid leave for events like a death in the family or marriage.

Public Holidays & Regional Holidays

Employees in Togo are entitled to paid time off for public holidays. Here are the official public holidays for 2025:

Typical Supplemental Benefits

Beyond the required benefits, many companies offer extra perks to attract and keep employees. Here’s a look at both required and common additional benefits.

How an EOR Can Help with Setting Up Benefits

Setting up a benefits plan in a new country can be complex. An Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies this process for you. We handle the details of local labor laws and market standards.

An EOR helps you:

• Stay Compliant: We make sure your benefits package follows all of Togo's rules.
• Save Time: You avoid the long process of researching and setting up benefits yourself.
• Offer Competitive Packages: We know the local market. We can help you create a benefits plan that attracts top talent.
• Manage Administration: We take care of the paperwork and ongoing management of employee benefits.

Using an EOR lets you focus on growing your business. You can be confident that your team in Togo is well taken care of.

When an employment relationship in Togo ends, you need to follow a specific process. This involves giving the correct notice, calculating any severance pay, and making sure you follow all legal procedures based on why the employee is leaving. Getting these steps right is key to managing your workforce changes legally and effectively.

Notice periods

When you end an employment contract in Togo, you generally need to provide a notice period, unless the termination is due to serious misconduct. The length of the notice period depends on the employee's role:

• General staff: 1 month
• Supervisors and managers: 3 months
• Hourly workers: 5 days

During the notice period, the employee continues to work but can take one day off each week to look for a new job.

Severance pay

If you terminate an employee for reasons other than serious misconduct, they are usually entitled to severance pay. To qualify, they typically need to have worked for a minimum period, often one year.

The amount of severance pay is calculated based on the employee's length of service and their average salary, usually over the last 12 months. The calculation is a percentage of the average monthly salary multiplied by the number of years they have worked for you.

How Rivermate handles compliant exits

Navigating employee terminations in a different country can be complex. At Rivermate, we handle the entire offboarding process for you. We make sure that every termination is fully compliant with Togolese labor laws.

Here is how we help:

• Ensuring correct procedures: We manage all the required steps for a compliant termination.
• Calculating final pay: We accurately calculate notice periods and any severance pay due.
• Reducing risk: We help you avoid the risks that come with informal agreements or unclear contracts.

We act as your local HR presence, making sure you can manage your team in Togo with confidence.

Navigating the visa and work permit landscape in Togo is a critical step for any company looking to hire talent in the country. The process is generally straightforward, but you need to follow the correct procedures to ensure compliance. For foreign nationals to work in Togo, they will need both a valid visa and a work permit. The employer is responsible for sponsoring the employee and making sure all authorizations are in place before work begins.

Employment Visas & Sponsorship Realities

An Employer of Record (EOR) can sponsor work permits for foreign employees in Togo. This simplifies the process for companies that do not have a legal entity in the country. The EOR acts as the legal employer and handles all HR-related tasks, including payroll, taxes, and compliance with local labor laws.

Here are the practical routes for employment visas:

• Long-Stay Visa for Work: This is the most common option for individuals who will be living and working in Togo for an extended period. It is tied to the employment contract.
• Work Permit: In addition to the visa, a work permit is required. The employer, or EOR, sponsors this permit. If the employee changes jobs, a new work permit is necessary.

To sponsor a work visa, an employer or EOR must be a registered legal entity in Togo and provide a compliant employment offer.

Business Travel Compliance

For short-term visits that involve business-related activities, a business visa is the appropriate choice. This visa is for non-commercial ventures like meetings and conferences. It is important to note that a business visa does not permit employment.

Key aspects of business travel compliance include:

• Duration: Business visas are typically for stays of up to 90 days.
• Activities: Permitted activities include attending meetings, conferences, and other business-related events.
• Invitation: You will usually need an official business invitation from a company based in Togo.

Here is a summary of the required documents for a business visa:

You can apply for a business visa at a Togolese embassy or consulate in your country. In some cases, you may be able to get a visa on arrival, but this is typically for a very short duration, such as seven days. For any planned business activities, it is always better to secure the correct visa in advance.