HR at a Glance in Niger
West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Niamey
West Africa Time (WAT) zone, which is UTC+1.
Niger is a landlocked country located in West Africa, bordered by seven countries: Algeria and Libya to the north, Chad to the east, Nigeria and Benin to the south, and Burkina Faso and Mali to the west. It covers an area of approximately 1,270,000 square kilometers (490,000 square miles), making it one of the largest countries in Africa.
Niger has a predominantly hot and arid climate, characterized by high temperatures and low rainfall. The country experiences a dry season from October to May and a rainy season from June to September, although rainfall is generally scarce. Niger is prone to periodic droughts, which pose significant challenges to agriculture and food security.
Niger is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups, each with its own unique cultural traditions, languages, and practices. The Hausa, Zarma-Songhai, Tuareg, and Fulani are among the largest ethnic groups in Niger. Traditional music, dance, and crafts are integral parts of Nigerien culture, reflecting the country’s rich heritage.
The predominant religion in Niger is Islam. The majority of the population, estimated to be over 90%, identifies as Muslim. Islam in Niger is predominantly Sunni, with Sufi brotherhoods playing a significant role in religious and social life. There are also small communities of Christians, primarily located in urban areas. Additionally, Niger is home to some traditional indigenous beliefs, particularly among certain ethnic groups, although these are often practiced alongside Islam rather than in isolation.
The primary legislation governing employment relationships in Niger is the Labor Code, Law no. 2012-45 of 25 September 2012 on the Labour Code of the Republic of Niger. Other key legal sources include:
Employment contracts in Niger may have either:
The fixed-term is a contract that comes to an end at a time agreed by the parties when signing. It must be in writing and drawn up in French, in five (5) copies (article 123 of the implementing decree).
A distinction is made between fixed-term contracts with a specific term and fixed-term contracts with an unspecified term.
The fixed-term contract with a specific term may be concluded for a maximum of two (2) years, renewable once. It may include a trial period not exceeding one (1) month.
A fixed-term contract with an unknown term is concluded either :
In non-agricultural establishments, work is organized in weekly cycles of forty (40) hours per working week corresponding to one hundred and seventy-three decimal thirty-three (173, 33) working hours per month.
Medical check-ups are mandated by law. It must take place within three months of the employee’s probation period.
The minimum notice period requirements are as follows:
Depending on the time and number of hours of overtime, the employee is entitled to the following minimum premium rates:
On Working days:
On Non-working days:
There is no statutory requirement to pay the 13th month salary. However, seniority and attendance bonuses may be payable.
Overtime work is paid at a premium rate
Employers must maintain a duplicate copy of their employees’ paystubs in a “payment register.” In addition to compensation data, the record must include statements regarding absences and their corresponding causes (sickness, work-related accident, absences whether authorized or not).
The payment register must be maintained chronologically, without omissions, deletions, additions, or side notes.
Termination of the fixed-term contract (article 77 LC): The fixed-term contract is terminated on expiry of the term without payment in lieu of dismissal or notice. Only compensation for untaken leave is due.
Termination of a permanent contract (article 78 et seq. LC): A permanent employment contract may always be terminated at the employee’s initiative. It may be terminated by the employer if there is a legitimate reason relating to the employee’s ability or conduct, or based on the imperative needs of the operation of the company, establishment or service
Data protection in Mali is governed by two laws: Law No. 2013-015 of 21 May 2013 on the Protection of Personal Data and Law No. 2019-056 of 5 December 2019 on the Repression of Cybercrime.
The Malian data protection authority (APDP) has several responsibilities, including informing and advising data subjects and controllers about their rights and responsibilities, verifying compliance and imposing administrative punishments.
The trial period is an opportunity for employees to familiarize themselves with their new position and associated tasks, and for the employer to assess the employee’s performance and suitability for the position. This trial period can be extended once by written agreement.
These are mandatory benefits as postulated by law. These include probationary period, annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, maternity leave, paternity overtime pay. Statutory benefits also include social security benefits
Foreign nationals will need to obtain a visa before traveling to Niger for any reason, including tourism and business. A few requirements apply to all foreign nationals regardless of the visa type they need. The required documents for a work visa include:
To obtain a work permit, foreign employees will need to be sponsored by a company based in Niger.
After submitting the application and all supporting documents, applicants should remain in their country of residence until they receive confirmation that their visa application has been approved. Processing typically takes about a month. Upon approval and receipt of the work visa, employees may travel to Niger and begin working for the company.
| Occasion | Date | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | New Year’s Day | 01.Jan |
| 2. | Easter Monday | |
| 3. | National Concord Day | 24 April |
| 4. | Labour Day | 01 May |
| 5. | Anniversary of National Independence | 03 August |
| 6. | Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic | 18 December |
| 7. | Christmas | 25 December |
| 8. | Ramadan (Eid el Fitr) | 29.Jun.2024 |
| 9. | Tabaski (Aïd el Kébir) | The day and the day after |
| 10. | Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday | |
| 11. | 1st Day of Muslim New Year | |
| 12. | Laïlatoul’ qadr |
Note: Ramadan Day starts on 11 March 2024 and ending 10 April 2024
Employers must pay salaries in legal currency at the place of work or at the employer’s office if it is close to the workplace. The payment should be made at regular intervals, which are as follows:
Monthly payments should be made within eight days of the end of the month in which the work was performed.
Employers must provide employees with payslips that include the following information:
The name and address of the employer or company stamp.
Employees in Niger are entitled to annual leave which is accrued at the rate of 2.5 days per month, resulting in 30 days of leave per year. The amount of paid leave increases with the length of service:
If an employee’s employment is terminated before they have had a chance to take their leave, they are entitled to compensation for the amount of time worked. However, under normal circumstances, annual leave cannot be replaced with monetary compensation.
Employees are also entitled to sick leave upon presentation of a medical certificate from an approved doctor. Sick leave may be granted for medical, dental, and vision exams, or if the employee has come into contact with a contagious disease that could potentially harm other employees. Sick leave is paid and cannot exceed 6 months per year.
Maternity Leave
Female employees in Niger are entitled to 14 weeks of maternity leave, which includes six weeks before and eight weeks after the projected date of childbirth. In case of medical complications during labor, the leave may be extended up to three weeks.
Paternity Leave
Male employees in Niger are entitled to one day of government-paid paternity leave, which should be taken within 15 days of childbirth.
In Niger, public holidays are not fixed and can be adjusted based on need. There are 12 official holidays, but the government has the authority to declare one-time national holidays throughout the year as required.
The income tax system in Niger includes several components, such as:
| Taxable Annual Income (XOF) | Tax Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Up to 330,000 | 0 |
| 330,000 – 578,400 | 5 |
| 578,400 – 1,176,400 | 12 |
| 1,176,400 – 1,789,733 | 18 |
| 1,789,733 – 2,384,195 | 26 |
| 2,384,195 – 3,494,130 | 31 |
| Over 3,494,130 | 37 |
Social security contributions in Niger are made to Institut National de Prevoyance Sociale (INPS). The employer and employee contribution rates are as follows:
| Scheme | Employer Contribution (%) | Employee Contribution (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Family Allowances (Prestations familiales) | 8.00 | NA |
| Statutory health insurance (AMO) | 3.50 | 3.06 |
| Work accident/occupational disease (Accidents du travail) | 1.00 – 4.00 | NA |
| Old age insurance | 3.40 | 3.60 |
| Disability and Death | 2.00 | NA |
| National Employment Agency (APNE) | 1.00 | NA |
| Total | 18.90 – 21.90 | 6.66 |
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