Post Mortem to Determine Seasonal Workers’ Cause of Death

A group of seasonal workers getting advice from government before they departed Samoa to work overseas.

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 16 FEBRUARY 2021: The body of a Samoan seasonal worker has been transferred from Timaru to Christchurch for a post mortem to determine the cause of his sudden passing.

The 37 year old seasonal worker was booked on last Friday’s repatriation flight but the day before, he and other two seasonal workers went to do their COVID-19 blood tests as mandatory requirements to enter Samoa.

After he had the test, he sat down and asked his two colleagues for water, but his colleagues thought he was trying to be funny until he collapsed.

An ambulance took the seasonal worker to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

All three worked for the Silver Fern Meat Company in Timaru.

The Minister for Commerce, Industry and Labour (MCIL), Lautafi Selafi Purcell said the workers sudden passing is a shock given he had no medical issues..

“It is very sad when something like this happens, especially when he was looking forward to seeing his family,” said Lautafi.

The man is from Fusi, Safotulafai in Savaii and his family has already been informed and his wife has agreed to a post mortem.

Lautafi said it was after he had the test that he sat down and asked his two colleagues for water, but his colleagues thought he was trying to be funny until he collapsed.

All three worked for the Silver Fern Meat company in Timaru and the company was informed of the incident. An ambulance took the seasonal worker to the hospital where he was announced dead.

According to Lautafi, the deceased has worked as a seasonal worker for the past 7 years and there have no medical issues with him.