LEEP · Labour Export
Labour export (LEEP)
Seasonal worker programs, in-country recruitment database, stakeholder engagement, and overseas employment preparation.
LEEP connects Samoan workers to overseas employment opportunities, particularly through New Zealand's Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme and Australia's Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme. We maintain the national recruitment database, screen candidates, and support pre-departure training and welfare.
Beware of recruitment scams. All RSE and PALM registrations under LEEP are free of charge. No individual or private group is authorised to collect fees for registration, visas, clearances, or guaranteed placements. If you have been asked to pay for overseas employment opportunities, do not proceed — contact LEEP at all@leep.gov.ws to verify any offer.
About LEEP
The Labour and Employment Export Programme (LEEP) is the MCIL division responsible for facilitating and administering Samoa's labour mobility programs. We operate under bilateral labour agreements with partner countries — primarily New Zealand and Australia — protecting worker rights while contributing to national economic development.
Who we are
LEEP currently administers two active overseas schemes for Samoan workers:
Our mandate
LEEP operates within the framework of the Labour and Employment Relations Amendment Act 2023 (i Gagana Samoa), facilitating and managing temporary overseas employment opportunities for Samoan workers. Our operational policy is set out in the Samoa Labour Mobility Policy 2023 (RSE / PALM), which sets Samoa's approach to maximising development benefits while protecting worker welfare.
We engage with all fifty-one (51) constituencies through the Fono Fa'avae Offices, using a district-based engagement model. The Fono Fa'avae are Samoa's new community-level registration structure: each of the 51 District Councils covers all villages within its constituency and is the registration entry point for individuals seeking overseas seasonal work under RSE and PALM.
Our history
The programme has been part of Samoa's institutional landscape since 2007:
- 2007 — established as the Seasonal Employment Unit under the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
- July 2017 — transferred to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour and formalised as LEEP.
- 2023 — temporarily placed under the Minister of Finance portfolio following a Cabinet reshuffle.
- November 2025 — returned to MCIL.
Governance and oversight
The LEEP Taskforce was convened under Cabinet Directive in 2023 to provide strategic oversight and policy direction. The Taskforce is chaired by the MCIL Minister and brings together key government and private sector stakeholders, with LEEP reporting regularly for accountability and continuous improvement.
Strategic importance
LEEP is a key contributor to the Pathway for the Development of Samoa (PDS) 2021/22–2025/26, supporting Key Strategic Outcome 2: Diversified and Sustainable Economy under Key Priority Area 10: Increased Labour Mobility.
Our location
The LEEP office is located at the Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) Building, Level 2, operating independently from MCIL headquarters to better serve workers and stakeholders.
Policy and strategy
LEEP operates under the Samoa Labour Mobility Policy 2023, which sets out Samoa's approach to maximising the development benefits of labour mobility while protecting worker welfare and minimising social impacts. We develop and implement labour mobility policies and strategies, including constituency engagement aligned with the national policy framework.
Samoans currently participate in seasonal worker schemes in:
Stakeholder engagement
LEEP engages regularly with constituency leaders (sui o nu'u), faifeau, women's committees, and youth groups to share information, listen to community concerns, and ensure that participation in labour mobility is an informed choice. Awareness programs are conducted across Upolu and Savai'i, often in partnership with constituency MPs.
Pre-departure preparation
Before departure, approved workers complete a Pre-departure Briefing covering:
- Your rights and responsibilities under the host country's labour law
- Workplace safety, cultural orientation, and living arrangements
- Contract terms, pay, deductions, and remittance options
- Health and wellbeing while overseas
- What to do if problems arise — support contacts in both countries
Recruitment
LEEP manages recruitment end-to-end in partnership with host country employers. Employers lodge demand with MCIL, and candidates are drawn from the In-Country Database based on the skills, experience, and location the employer requests. Selection is transparent and merit-based.
Registering your interest: Samoan citizens interested in overseas seasonal work register through their District Council (Fono Fa'avae) — Samoa's 51 district constituencies each cover all villages within their area. LEEP does not accept direct registrations from individual workers. For guidance on which District Council to approach, contact LEEP at all@leep.gov.ws.
In-country database
LEEP maintains an in-country database of ready, willing, and able workers across Upolu and Savai'i. The database captures skills, language ability, health status, and prior seasonal work experience, allowing rapid response when employers notify demand.
The database is managed with strict privacy controls in accordance with MCIL's privacy policy and the Personal Data Protection Act 2025 (once in force).
LEEP success stories
Thousands of Samoans have taken part in overseas seasonal employment through LEEP, earning income that has paid for homes, school fees, church obligations, and small businesses back home. MCIL collects participant feedback and tracks remittance trends in partnership with the Central Bank of Samoa.
Our Annual Reports include detailed statistics on LEEP placements, earnings, and returnee outcomes.