People in Lesotho can earn through an employer, their own work or a registered business. Dependent employment involves working under an employer's direction for wages. Self-employment includes activities carried out independently, while a business may operate informally or through formal registration, licensing and tax arrangements. The 2024 Labour Force Survey reported that 84.0% of employment was informal. Formal opportunities are more common in sectors such as textiles, construction, hospitality, retail, transport, security, domestic work, public administration, education, health, mining, tourism and information and communication technology. Entry can depend on work experience, apprenticeship, technical training, higher education or professional registration. Regulated professions require the relevant licence or registration. Job seekers can apply directly to companies, register with National Employment Services, use a licensed private employment agency or apply through the Public Service Commission for public-service positions. Relatives, friends, factories and work sites are also common ways to hear about opportunities. Lesotho has no verified formal, ongoing unemployment insurance or universal unemployment payment; income support is fragmented and may depend on poverty, vulnerability, location and programme cycles. For employment relationships, the Labour Act 2024 has been in force since 2 April 2024, alongside the Occupational Safety and Health Act 2024. These rules cover matters such as contracts, wages, working time, equality, workplace safety, worker representation, disputes and organisational change. A formal business usually needs an appropriate structure, a Business ID, activity-specific permits and registration with Revenue Services Lesotho. Foreign-owned businesses may face additional investment and permit requirements.
Work in Lesotho
Work in Lesotho includes dependent paid employment, self-employment and business activity, as well as periods of job seeking and unemployment. Most employment is informal, while formal opportunities are concentrated in sectors such as textiles, construction, hospitality, retail, transport, security and domestic work. Access to work and earnings vary by district, sector, education and age, while formal jobs follow rules on contracts, pay, working time, leave, safety and termination.
Tip
Choose first whether you are seeking dependent employment, earning independently or setting up a business, because each path requires different checks. If you need paid work, use several job-search channels and verify the actual terms before accepting an offer. If you plan to practise a regulated profession, hire workers or operate a business, confirm the relevant registration, permit and workplace requirements before starting.