Govt Ensures Rights of Migrant Worker Who Died in South Korea: Minister

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta: Indonesian Minister of Migrant Worker Protection, Mukhtarudin, has confirmed that the Indonesian government will continue to pursue the fulfillment of the rights and insurance claims of Reza Valentino Simamora, who died while working in South Korea.

Reza was a migrant worker who departed procedurally through the Government-to-Government (G2G) scheme and worked in the fisheries sector on an E-9 visa.

“We express our deepest condolences for his death, and the government must not be negligent. The Ministry will ensure that all the rights of the deceased and his family are fully protected,” said Minister Mukhtarudin in a written statement on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Minister Mukhtarudin explained that Reza's status as a procedural PMI is the legal basis for ensuring that his rights are fulfilled lawfully and responsibly. However, the insurance and social security claim mechanisms in South Korea follow the provisions of the system applicable in that country.

“The claim process and the determination of the amount of benefits are under the authority of the employer and related institutions in South Korea. Nevertheless, the Ministry continues to provide active assistance,” Minister Mukhtarudin said.

Currently, the Ministry is coordinating intensively with the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul and related parties to ascertain the cause of death. In addition, the Ministry is also overseeing the foreign insurance claim process and tracing the late Reza's remaining salary and other rights to his heirs.

“We understand that the uncertainty and delay in information are very burdensome for the family. Therefore, we are committed to providing clear, regular, and written explanations to the heirs,” said Minister Mukhtarudin.

He also emphasized that all administrative processes on the Indonesian government's side have been completed and forwarded to the relevant authorities in South Korea. As part of its government responsibilities, the Ministry has provided direct assistance to the family.

The process, including the delivery of the body and the funeral in Medan on October 5, 2025, was accompanied by the Ministry's Director General of Empowerment.

In addition, the deceased's family has received Employment Social Security (BPJS Ketenagakerjaan) benefits totaling IDR 85 million (USD 5,067.37), as stipulated by applicable regulations. The Ministry ensures that assistance to the family will continue until there is fair certainty regarding all of Reza's rights.

Reza Valentino Simamora was a migrant worker from Medan, North Sumatra, placed in South Korea under the G2G scheme in the fisheries sector. He departed on March 24 and worked on Kim Chong-hui's Garamho ship.

The tragic incident occurred on September 23 in the Incheon sea. The ship's mooring rope broke while pulling in the nets, causing Reza to fall overboard and be declared missing.

After searching, the Incheon Police found Reza dead on September 27. Reza's body was repatriated to Indonesia on October 3 on Garuda Indonesia flight GA 879 and buried in his hometown in Medan.

Subsequently, on December 2, the Ministry received a complaint from the family regarding the clarity of the mechanism and timing of the insurance claim and remaining salary payments. To support this process, the Ministry of Law issued an Apostille certificate for his essential documents on December 19-20.

The complete claim documents were then sent to the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul on December 23 and received on December 26. On December 30, the Secretariat General of the Ministry of Manpower also wrote to the Indonesian Ambassador in Seoul, requesting facilitation in the fulfillment of Reza's rights.

Finally, on January 29, 2026, the Government Placement Directorate reconfirmed Reza's status as an official migrant worker. It also confirmed that four types of insurance were being processed: Health Insurance (NHIS), Pension Insurance (NPS), Occupational Accident Insurance, and Repatriation Insurance.

Currently, all claim requirement documents have been completed and received by the Indonesian Representative in South Korea. The following disbursement process is under the authority of the guarantor institution in South Korea, Suhyup Bank/NFFC, and the employer, with monitoring by the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)