Vanuatu to bring deceased seasonal worker home

Vanuatu’s Labour Department has confirmed the death of a Ni-Vanuatu seasonal worker in New Zealand over the weekend.

The Commissioner of Labour, Murielle Metsan Meltenoven, says the cause of his death is unclear.

She says the deceased’s body is now in hospital in New Zealand while authorities arrange for an autopsy to identify the cause of his death.

Mrs Meltenoven says at this stage it is too early to say if the worker had died of heart attack.

“I have not received any reports confirming the cause of his death. I will confirm the cause of his death once I receive a full report,” she said.

VBTC News understands that the deceased man is Nick Sambo, who was in his 40’s and is from Mele Village.

Mrs Meltenoven says once Vanuatu receives more information on his death, the department will work to have a repatriation flight bring Mr Sambo’s body home.

She expressed the Labour Department’s deepest condolences to the worker’s family.

“This is a loss in the Recognised Seasonal Employer Scheme because these workers are contributing to the economy of New Zealand and Vanuatu,” she said.

Many people have gone online to share their condolence messages to the families of Mr Sambo.

This is the second worker to die in New Zealand this year, the first death was in a quarantine facility and the worker died of a heart attack.