A 5.5% rise in minimum rates in 2025
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Ts'eliso Mokhosi, announced to the National Assembly a 5.5% increase at all levels, effective from April 2025, following negotiations between workers and employers held in March.
The reference text: the 2025 Notice
The increase appears in the Labour Act Wages (Minimum wages) Notice 2025, available from the government printer. Another official dispatch mentions a 5% rise: consult the published text to find out the exact percentage and amounts.
Forty-one rates depending on the occupation
The ILO counts 41 different minimum wages in Lesotho. The applicable amount therefore depends on the sector and the job category. Before negotiating, ask the employer for the precise line of the scale that corresponds to your post.
The Wage Board and evidence-based setting
The country's Wage Board is working with ILO support towards evidence-based minimum wage setting. This approach may change the revision method; follow official announcements to learn about the next adjustments and their timing.
Civil service: the 2024-2025 pay scale
The Ministry of Finance's 2024-2025 salary gazette provides public servants with an automatic notch progression of 2.5% and a general adjustment of 2% from April. These increases do not apply to the private sector.
The Labour Code Order of 1992
Labour law rests on the Labour Code Order of 1992, whose text is available in the ILO NATLEX database. Read the provisions on contracts and dismissal before signing, or seek local advice on your particular situation.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment
The labour and employment ministry, whose name is confirmed by the official news agency, has a website. Our notes do not specify its services for jobseekers: contact it directly to find out which schemes are available.
Unemployment: series to be read with caution
The World Bank publishes unemployment series for Lesotho, both as a modelled ILO estimate and as a national estimate. We do not reproduce the value, as it has not been verified: consult the series directly to obtain the latest figure.
PNet and regional vacancies
PNet, a South African site, has a section devoted to jobs in Lesotho. Impactpool publishes regional consultancies that also cover Botswana, Namibia or Eswatini, useful for experienced profiles in international development and consultancy work.
NGOs and development projects
In 2026, NGO Jobs in Africa is advertising humanitarian vacancies in Southern Africa that include Lesotho. To structure an application to this type of employer, read our guide to humanitarian and NGO occupations.
Working on the other side of the border
Lesotho is entirely surrounded by South Africa, and many candidates also look for a post there. Our page on the South African labour market details the visas required and the hourly minimum wage.
Comparing with Eswatini and other platforms
Eswatini, another Southern African kingdom, also has a complex system of sectoral minimum rates. To widen the search to the rest of the continent, our directory of African job sites presents the most useful general, humanitarian and international platforms for candidates.
Useful bodies and sites in Lesotho
- Ministry of Labour and Employment: Ministry responsible for labour and employment, whose minister announced the 2025 rise in minimum wages.
- Lesotho News Agency (LENA): Official news agency that relays announcements on minimum wages and the civil service.
- Banque mondiale – données sur le chômage: Lesotho unemployment data series, both the modelled ILO estimate and the national estimate.
- PNet (rubrique Lesotho): South African job board with a page devoted to job vacancies located in Lesotho.
- NGO Jobs in Africa: Site for non-profit and humanitarian vacancies, with regional posts in Southern Africa.
How to apply in Lesotho
- Find in the 2025 Notice the minimum wage corresponding to your occupation and category.
- Prepare an English CV and a short cover letter tailored to each employer.
- Check PNet, Impactpool and NGO Jobs in Africa regularly for local and regional posts.
- If you are a foreign national, ask the relevant ministry about the current work authorisation procedure.
- Read the contract in the light of the Labour Code Order before signing.
- Keep a written record of all pay promises made during the interview.
Pay benchmarks in Lesotho
| Indicator | Value | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage increase | 5.5% at all levels | LENA, April 2025 |
| Number of minimum rates | 41 | ILO, January 2025 |
| Notch progression, civil service | 2.5% | 2024-2025 salary gazette |
| General adjustment, civil service | 2% | 2024-2025 salary gazette |
| Unemployment rate | not verified | World Bank, series not recorded |
Supporting documents for a job in Lesotho
- CV in English
- Certified copies of qualifications
- Valid passport
- Contract or appointment letter
- Work authorisation for foreign nationals
- Professional references
Traps to know about in Lesotho
- Paying a commission to a fake recruiter who promises a job in South Africa or with a regional NGO.
- Accepting pay without checking the corresponding line among the 41 minimum rates in force.
- Confusing the increases granted to the civil service with those that apply to private-sector employees.
- Quoting an unemployment rate found online without checking its source, date and method.
Questions on employment in Lesotho
What is the minimum wage in Lesotho?
Lesotho applies 41 different minimum wages according to the ILO. They were raised by 5.5% at all levels from April 2025, according to the official LENA agency. The amounts in maloti appear in the 2025 Notice, which we have not consulted.
What is the unemployment rate in Lesotho?
Our sources do not confirm a recent figure. The World Bank publishes unemployment series for the country, both modelled by the ILO and national. Consult them directly and check the date of each value before quoting it.
Which law governs employment in Lesotho?
The Labour Code Order of 1992 is the reference text, available in the ILO NATLEX database. Minimum wages are set by ministerial notices, such as the one issued in 2025. For a personal situation, consult a local lawyer.
Where can you find job offers in Lesotho?
PNet offers a Lesotho section, Impactpool publishes regional consultancies and NGO Jobs in Africa carries humanitarian posts in Southern Africa. Be wary of adverts that ask for money or bank details at the first contact.
Official sources
Labour Code Order 1992 sur NATLEXilo.org
OIT : le Wage Board du Lesothoilo.org
LENA : gazette salariale de la fonction publiquelena.gov.ls
LENA : hausse du salaire minimumlena.gov.ls
Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueJob.com does not recruit and never asks for money: beware of offers that demand fees.