The newspaper reported that Prime Minister Thomas Thabane had instructed Finance Minister Moeketsi Majoro to explore a "revised salary structure" for parliamentarians.

It quoted an unnamed MP as saying their "entry point" in talks with the government was to demand a 100% hike, while another MP said they were prepared to forfeit interest-free loans they received provided their salary was doubled.

Lesotho's MPs are already among the nation's best-paid people and if the demands are met, their new monthly salary would double to $5,344 (£4,191), according to the newspaper.

It says the average factory worker in Lesotho earns up to $144 a month.

Image caption: Prime Minister Thomas Thabane took office in June 2017