Togo is a small country on the Gulf of Guinea bordered by Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso. It has a population of roughly 8.85 million and a labour force of about 3.26 million. Despite exports of phosphates, coffee and cotton, GDP per capita is only about USD$943. 

Informal work is widespread and social security coverage limited, so wage policy plays a key role in protecting low‑paid workers. Rising living costs led the government and social partners to raise the statutory minimum wage in 2023.

Here’s What to Know About the Minimum Wage in Togo

Togo’s national minimum wage is known as the SMIG (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti) for non‑agricultural workers and SMAG for agricultural workers. Both are set by the labour minister after consulting the National Labour Council. 

Under an agreement reached in late 2022, the minimum wage increased from 35000 CFA (francs) to 52500 CFA per month (about US$86) effective 1 January 2023. This was the first adjustment since 2012 and represents a 50% rise. The hourly equivalent is 302.89 CFA, based on a 40‑hour workweek.

The SMIG/SMAG is universal: employers in all sectors must pay at least 52500 CFA per month for full‑time work. 

The SMIG of 52,500 CAF per month applies to the lowest-skilled workers, a system in the Convention Collective Interprofessionnelle (Inter-professional Collective Agreement) of 2011 establishes a hierarchy of recommended minimum salaries based on professional categories: 

  • E (Exécution): Manual, unskilled, and specialized workers (e.g., E1, E2)
  • M (Maîtrise): Supervisors, technicians, and agents with higher qualifications
  • C (Cadres): Managers, executives, and senior professionals

Although the Interprofessional Collective Agreement lists recommended wages, these are not legally binding; the SMIG/SMAG remains the wage floor.

Working Hours and Overtime

The standard workweek in Togo is 40 hours and may be increased to 48 hours in sectors deemed strategic, subject to government approval. A normal workday cannot exceed 10 hours, though preparatory work may extend the day to 12 hours. 

Workers must receive a weekly rest day (usually Sunday) and a break after five consecutive hours. The probation period in Togo ranges from one month for most workers to three months for technical staff or supervisors.

Overtime is any work beyond 40 hours per week and must be authorised. It is capped at 20 hours per week. The Interprofessional Collective Agreement sets premiums:

Overtime Type Rate Details
Daytime Overtime (41–48 hours) 120% of hourly wage Applies to the first 8 hours of overtime in a workweek
Daytime Overtime (beyond 48 hours) 140% of hourly wage Applies after 48 weekly hours are exceeded
Sundays & Public Holidays 165% of hourly wage Applies to work performed on rest days and official holidays
Night Overtime (Weekdays) 165% of hourly wage Overtime hours worked during nighttime on weekdays
Night Overtime (Sundays/Holidays) 200% of hourly wage Overtime hours worked at night on Sundays or public holidays

Leave and Notice Periods

Employees accumulate 2.5 days of paid vacation per month, giving 30 days a year. Leave can be delayed by mutual agreement but cannot be deferred beyond two years. Workers also get 5 days of fully paid sick leave and may receive additional half‑salary leave for long‑term illnesses depending on seniority. 

Maternity leave lasts 14 weeks, including six weeks after birth, and may be extended by three weeks for complications; half of the salary is paid by the National Social Security Fund and half by the employer. Fathers are entitled to two days of paid paternity leave.

Termination requires written notice. Notice periods are 15 days for hourly workers, one month for monthly‑paid employees and three months for supervisors and executives. Severance pay ranges from 35% to 45% of a monthly salary per year of service, increasing with tenure.

Social Security Contributions and Taxes

Employers contribute around 17.5% of an employee’s gross salary to social security (12.5% for old‑age pensions and 5% for other benefits), plus 3% to the pension fund, 1% to the National Housing Fund and 0.5% to the Professional Training Fund. 

They must also pay health insurance contributions (around 5%) and accident insurance (about 2%). Employees contribute 4% to social security, 1% to the pension fund, 0.5% to the housing fund and 0.25% to the training fund. Both parties share health‑insurance contributions. 

Personal income tax is progressive, ranging from 0.5% to 35%. To qualify for an old‑age pension, workers must generally reach 60 years and have 180 months of insurance. The pension equals 20% of average salary in the last five years plus 1.33% per additional year of contributions, with benefits ranging between 60 % and 80% of the minimum wage.

Living Wage Reality

A 2024 estimate from the Global Living Wage Coalition puts the living wage for urban Togo at about 128374 CFA per month (US$211), more than double the statutory minimum. This living wage is based on the cost of food, housing, health care, education and other essentials. 

With inflation and informality squeezing workers, the National Labour Council may revisit the minimum wage. Employers operating in Togo should monitor updates to the Interprofessional Collective Agreement.

Simplify Hiring in Togo with Remote People

The Togolese labor market offers opportunities but is governed by evolving regulations. Ensuring full compliance can be a challenge for any business. A misstep in calculating overtime, managing leave, or handling a termination can lead to financial and legal risks.

Remote People’s Employer of Record (EOR) service in Togo provides a solution to navigate the Togolese laws. As the legal employer on your behalf, we assume all local HR and payroll responsibilities, allowing you to build your team in Togo without establishing a local entity.

Here’s how we help:

  • We ensure every employee is paid accurately and on time, adhering to both the national SMIG and the required minimums for their professional category under collective agreements.
  • Our platform manages all statutory deductions, including the 17.5% for CNSS, 5% for health insurance, and the 3% payroll tax, guaranteeing full compliance with Togolese law. 
  • We administer all mandatory entitlements, from the 30 days of annual leave to maternity benefits and sick pay, keeping you in line with the 2021 Labour Code.
  • We handle legally sound employment contracts, manage probationary periods, and execute terminations according to strict local procedures, protecting your business from potential disputes.

By partnering with Remote People, you can offload the administrative burden of Togolese employment law and focus on what matters most—growing your business.