Myanmar nationals working abroad face calls to return for military service

Myanmar’s junta is preparing to recall overseas workers for mandatory military service and has instructed employment agencies to enforce the rule, according to agency staff.Under a new clause added to contracts signed between employers, employees, and agencies, workers must return to Myanmar if they are called to military service after their two-year work permit expires. The agency that sent the worker abroad is responsible for recalling them, the regime’s Ministry of Labour informed agencies earlier this month.“The new clause applies to both new and existing workers. However, it only becomes relevant when a draft notice is issued,” confirmed an official from an overseas employment agency. “If a worker is not in Myanmar when they receive the notice, the agency must recall them when their contract expires,” he added.While this clause is now included in contracts between agencies and workers before they are sent abroad, a staffer from a Yangon-based employment agency said it would be difficult to enforce.“Agencies can’t even manage the mandatory transfer of 25 percent of workers’ wages through Myanmar banks. This has led to fines and the suspension of agencies’ licenses to send workers abroad,” he said. “Recalling workers for military service would be even more problematic.” At present, there are no official directives requiring agencies to recall workers for military service. However, some have already suspended operations due to pressure from the regime, as well as a lack of workers willing to go abroad through official channels. Some workers have already indicated that they have no intention of returning to Myanmar if ordered to do so by the regime.“I won’t return no matter what. If my visa and work permit expire and can’t be renewed, I’ve decided to stay here illegally,” said one young man who fled to Thailand due to the military service law. Since the implementation of the mandatory military service law earlier this year, there has been a noticeable increase in young people going abroad. Many others have fled to areas under the control of anti-junta forces or joined the armed resistance movement.A resident of Naypyitaw reported that authorities are requiring proof via video calls to confirm that individuals called for military service are indeed abroad. “Even before the military service law was enacted, we had to prove someone was abroad with a video call. They said they might recall them if needed,” the resident said. The junta has also been accused of arbitrarily arresting young people for the purpose of forcing them into the military. Others have been forcibly conscripted after being deported from Thailand. Meanwhile, there have also been reports of desertions among recent conscripts. The junta’s deputy prime minister, Tin Aung San, appeared to confirm this when he warned that action would be taken against those who fail to report to duty after completing registration or medical exams, or who flee after being sent to training camps. Despite the pressure on overseas workers and the arrests of young people, employees of businesses closely aligned with the junta, including private banks and companies owned by the military or its cronies, have been exempt from mandatory service. Under the military service law, citizens eligible for conscription are required to serve for up to two years, or five years in the event of an emergency. Refusal is punishable by up to three years in prison. The junta is planning to launch the seventh batch of military service training this month. Each batch includes around 5,000 trainees. Recruitment committees under the junta’s control are under pressure to meet these quotas.

Myanmar nationals working abroad face calls to return for military service

Desperate for new recruits, the junta is now pressuring employment agencies to summon workers back to the country

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