Bangkalan Regency Forms Special Team to Curb Irregular Migrant Workers
Bangkalan (ANTARA) – The Bangkalan Regency Government in East Java has formed a special team to curb the number of residents working overseas as Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) through illegal or irregular channels.
“As well as reducing the number of Bangkalan residents working as irregular migrant workers, this special team will educate the public about the importance of going abroad through official channels,” said Jemmi Tri Sukmana, head of the Bangkalan Regency Industry and Manpower Office (Disperinaker).
In a statement received in Bangkalan on Sunday evening, Jemmi said officials had discovered that many Bangkalan residents were working overseas illegally after they encountered problems at work, such as dying from illness or suffering workplace accidents.
From September to 9 October 2026, Bangkalan’s Disperinaker helped repatriate five migrant workers.
The most recent cases involved Rusdi, 33, from Togubang village in Geger sub-district, and Sainih, 43, from Tebiru village in Tanjung Bumi sub-district.
The two workers were returned to Indonesia after being deported from Malaysia over immigration violations. They had both worked in the neighbouring country through irregular channels and were detained before being forcibly returned to Indonesia.
“Before he could even start working, Rusdi was arrested by the local authorities and detained for two months before being sent home,” Jemmi said.
Sainih had been in Malaysia since 2022, working as a construction labourer. He was arrested by Malaysian immigration officers and detained for five months before being deported to Indonesia.
“Based on what they have told us, migrant workers who leave through irregular channels are generally attracted by stories of success and low costs,” Jemmi said.
“That is why we have formed a special team, which will conduct direct outreach to residents planning to work overseas,” he said.
He said prospective migrant workers must receive a full understanding of workplace safety and the negative consequences of working overseas illegally.
Earlier, Bangkalan’s Disperinaker had also helped repatriate three other migrant workers.
They included Hanafi, 52, from Maleh hamlet in Banjar village, Galis sub-district, Bangkalan, who died of illness at his workplace in Malaysia on 13 September 2026.
The most recent of the other cases involved Siti Karimah, 56, from Banyoneng Laok village in Geger sub-district, Bangkalan, who also died of illness.
“All five migrant workers had been working through irregular channels. We are therefore stepping up efforts to curb cases of irregular migration. In addition to forming a special team, we are seeking support from Bangkalan’s religious leaders,” he said.