The government has issued a much-anticipated regulation that limits outsourcing to five types of jobs: security, cleaning services, drivers, catering and support services for mining companies.

The regulation, Manpower and Transmigration Ministerial Decree No. 19/2011 on labor standards in outsourcing, was announced on Nov. 15.

Muhaimin Iskandar, the relevant minister, signed the decree on Thursday after receiving approval from the National Tripartite Commission representing the government, employers and workers.

"The new ministerial decree has been issued to regulate on outsourcing in detail as it is allowed by the 2003 Labor Law, and to correct the practice of unlawful outsourcing, which has caused job insecurity among many workers in the formal sector," Muhaimin said.