Labour and Employment Export Programme
Who We Are
The Labour & Employment Export Programme (LEEP) is a unit under the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Labour responsible for facilitating and administering Samoa’s labour mobility programs. LEEP provides Samoan citizens with access to safe, decent and temporary overseas employment opportunities.
LEEP operates under bilateral labour agreements with partner countries, primarily New Zealand and Australia and ensures protection of workers’ rights while contributing to national economic development. Active schemes currently administered by the LEEP include New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employment (RSE) scheme and the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme. Through these initiatives, LEEP plays a vital role in strengthening remittances, promoting skills transfer, and supporting community development across Samoa.
Our Mandate
LEEP is mandated under the Labour and Employment Relations Amendment Act 2023 to facilitate and manage temporary overseas employment opportunities for Samoan workers. In alignment with Samoa’s Policy for Temporary Labour Migration under the labour mobility schemes of New Zealand and Australia, LEEP works closely with all fifty-one (51) constituencies through the Fono Faavae Offices, using a district-based engagement model.
This approach aims to support worker recruitment and selection for overseas employment, as well as worker preparation and support throughout the entire labour mobility cycle – from recruitment, to deployment and reintegration upon return to Samoa.
Our History and Institutional Transition
LEEP was initially established in 2007 as the Seasonal Employment Unit under the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. In July 2017, the Unit was transferred to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour and later formalised as the LEEP Division.
Following a Cabinet reshuffle in 2023, LEEP was temporarily placed under the Minister of Finance portfolio before transitioning back to MCIL in November 2025. These transitions reflect the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen programme oversight, coordination, and policy alignment.
Governance and Oversight
A LEEP Taskforce was established under Cabinet Directive in 2023 to provide strategic oversight and policy direction. The Taskforce is chaired by the responsible Minister (MCIL Minister) and comprises of key government and private sector stakeholders. LEEP reports regularly to the Minster and the Taskforce to ensure accountability, compliance, and continuous improvement to Samoa’s Labour mobility programs.
Strategic Importance
LEEP is a key contributor to the Pathway for the Development of Samoa (PDS) 2021/22–2025/26. It supports Key Strategic Outcome 2: Diversified and Sustainable Economy, under Key Priority Area 10: Increased Labour Mobility. The programme directly supports employment creation, income generation, and skills development for Samoan households and communities.
Our Location
The LEEP office is located at the Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) Building – Floor 1, operating independently from the MCIL headquarters to better serve workers and stakeholders.
