NTT Lacks Migrant Worker Mortuaries, Nun Urges Regional Government
Sister Laurentina, a nun who frequently advocates for the repatriation of deceased Indonesian migrant workers (PMI), has called on the government to immediately construct a transit mortuary in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to house the remains of deceased migrant workers before they are returned to their home regions.
According to Laurentina, a transit mortuary is urgently needed for remains originating from Sumba Island, Flores, Sabu Raijua, Alor, Lembata, and Rote Ndao before being despatched from Kupang to their respective regions.
“Kupang truly requires a transit mortuary facility for remains originating from outside Timor Island,” said Laurentina when met at El Tari Kupang Airport on Monday, 9 March 2026.
She explained that the current storage facility at the Penyelenggaraan Ilahi Social Foundation in Kupang is severely limited. This situation once nearly prevented three remains from outside Timor Island from being accommodated before being transported by ship. Fortunately, on that occasion, a family was willing to temporarily house the remains in their home.
Regional Hospital No Longer Able to Store Remains
Laurentina stated that previously, remains in transit in Kupang could be temporarily stored at WZ Yohannes General Hospital in Kupang. However, this is no longer possible.
This change occurred following budget cuts, as the provincial government hospital can no longer accommodate remains due to financial constraints. Typically, each stored remain incurs a charge of 140,000 rupiah per day.
“So what can be done? Where would remains go once they arrive in Kupang? But given humanitarian responsibility, we manage as best we can, even without funds,” explained Laurentina.
Laurentina said this issue must be raised so the NTT provincial government promptly constructs a transit mortuary. The number of deceased migrant workers from NTT who pass away abroad continues to increase annually.
She emphasised that although some migrant workers depart irregularly, they remain human beings whose dignity must be respected. She stressed that the state retains responsibility for ensuring that the repatriation process for their remains is conducted with proper standards.
“I and the cargo team at El Tari Kupang Airport sincerely hope the NTT provincial government can build a transit facility because ship schedules are often uncertain, requiring further waiting. This is one obstacle I encounter in the field every year,” concluded Laurentina.