BLITAR – Four migrant worker deaths involving residents of Blitar Regency have raised concern after local officials recorded the cases during the first months of 2026. All four workers died while carrying out jobs abroad, and health problems caused every case.
Yopie Kharisma Sanusi, who leads placement and job expansion at the local labor office, said his office received all four reports between January and early March.
“From January until early March 2026, four migrant workers from Blitar Regency died abroad. All of them died because of illness,” he said.
Three workers had jobs in Taiwan when they died. Two came from villages in Srengat, namely Karanggayam and Selokajang. Another worker came from Binangun and the fourth worker came from Ponggok.
The labor office has already helped return three bodies to Indonesia. One body still remains in Taiwan because officials and relatives are still arranging final technical steps for repatriation.
Yopie said the Blitar administration continues handling the case directly and keeps daily contact with the worker’s family. His office also maintains communication with Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers to speed up document clearance.
Officials need several documents before airlines and foreign authorities allow transport. Because of that, each overseas death case often takes time before the body can leave the host country.
Yopie said incomplete legal records often create the biggest obstacle.
“If a migrant worker leaves through illegal channels, the return process becomes harder because the documents are incomplete,” he said.
The local government continues urging residents to use official recruitment channels before taking overseas jobs. Officials believe legal placement gives workers stronger protection and helps families when emergencies happen.
The recent deaths have also increased concern about health monitoring for migrant workers before departure. Authorities expect stronger legal awareness to reduce future risks for overseas workers from Blitar.