Arya Dipa, Bandung – West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan issued on Wednesday a moratorium on outsourcing following massive labor rallies across the country on the same day.

The governor announced the news, which he called a win-win solution for all parties, before thousands of workers protesting in front of the Gedung Sate gubernatorial office in Bandung. Heryawan said the decision was made in support of workers in West Java.

"I cc-ed the coordinating people's welfare minister, the manpower and transmigration minister, the West Java Manpower and Transmigration Agency, the West Java Employers Association and the West Java Workers Association," Heryawan said in Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday.

The governor said he realized there were many problems with the outsourcing system widely practiced in the country and therefore, "we need to amend the implementation of the system and so need a moratorium on it".

He also encouraged that posts be established in every regency and city in West Java for workers to lodge complaints. Heryawan pledged to maintain harmonious relations between businesses and workers in his region because "both parties depend on each other".

Millions of workers across the country demonstrated on Wednesday to demand the government bring the outsourcing regime to an end. They also demanded a pay increase and other benefits. (swd)