TULUNGAGUNG – A growing number of part-time PPPK resignations in Tulungagung Regency has emerged only a few months after the local government officially appointed thousands of contract-based public workers.

Local officials said 18 part-time PPPK employees are no longer active, even though they received their appointment decrees less than three months ago. The figure includes workers who resigned as well as those who died after appointment.

Soeroto, Tulungagung’s acting regional secretary, confirmed the data when speaking at Pendapa Kongas Arum Kusumaning Bangsa on Friday.

“There are indeed part-time PPPK workers who have resigned. The number is around 18 people, including those who passed away,” he said.

According to the local administration, three workers died, while 15 others chose to leave their jobs voluntarily.

The education sector recorded the highest number of inactive workers. Seven employees from the education office have already left their positions.

A further five cases came from RSUD dr Iskak, where three workers resigned and two others died.

Other resignations also appeared across several departments, although in smaller numbers.

The social affairs office, health office, and environmental agency each lost one worker. Two more employees came from the public works and spatial planning office.

Soeroto, who also heads Tulungagung’s civil service and human resources agency, said most resignation letters arrived without clear explanations.

He said the administration only received formal requests to leave, with no detailed personal reasons attached.

“We do not know the exact reasons because they only submitted resignations,” he said.

For now, the local government has no immediate plan to recruit replacements for the vacant part-time PPPK positions.

Officials intend to continue public services by adjusting workloads among existing staff.

The resignations came after thousands of part-time PPPK workers previously voiced concerns over welfare and income during meetings with the local legislature.

Some workers argued that their earnings remained insufficient even after receiving formal employment status.

Government data show that 5,415 part-time PPPK workers received appointment decrees on December 31, 2025.

That total includes 2,885 technical workers, 1,628 teachers, and 902 health personnel across Tulungagung.

The latest resignations have again highlighted concerns over whether salary levels and job conditions are strong enough to keep newly appointed public workers in place.