By Yoon Sat - Feb 24, 2025
Reports indicate that the military council has been conducting on-ground recruitment campaigns in factories across industrial zones in Yangon Region, urging workers to enlist in the military under the newly imposed conscription law.
Recently, factory owner and military officials have allegedly been collaborating to push some of the over 2,000 workers—both male and female—toward military service. at a garment factory in Mingalar Don Industrial Zone.
“They are holding a lottery draw. The factory owner promises two months' salary to those who get selected. Both male and female workers have to draw lots. They also say that salaries will be increased, but they don’t explicitly mention military service. It’s all very suspicious. Later, they started talking about recruitment when U Win Shane and military officers showed up. Workers will likely flee their jobs if this really happens. We will be in trouble if the factory owners themselves are complicit. Nothing is certain for now, but they are definitely spreading messages to recruit workers. We’re not sure if they’re casually talking about it or actively mobilizing people,” said a factory worker from Hlaing Thar Yar Township.
Additional measures have been introduced following reports that the military council has begun forcibly conscripting young people. These include adding clauses in MoU contracts for overseas employment, stating that returning workers must serve in the military. Similarly, new employment contracts allegedly include clauses stating that they must enlist if called upon for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, as part of agreements between Thai employers and the military council.
“Yes, I heard about it. U Win Shane came with a military officer—a major or general, I’m not sure. They spoke about military service and tried to convince us that it’s nothing to be afraid of. They didn’t take anyone by force, but they mentioned that recruits would have to go through health checkups. They only highlighted the benefits of joining the military. Meanwhile, U Win Shane was also talking about forming trade unions, saying that unions should be formed in a regulated manner for the benefit of workers. But why have they been firing workers and discriminating against those trying to form unions if they really support trade unions? Now they suddenly claim to support union formation,” said a worker from Mingalar Don Industrial Zone.
Additionally, the military-controlled Department of Labour has reportedly been collecting worker data from factories across Yangon’s industrial zones while also conducting on-ground recruitment campaigns, reassuring workers that there is nothing to fear about military conscription.
Males aged 18-35 and females aged 18-27 are subject to conscription under the military service law imposed by the military council. Those classified as skilled professionals in technical or specialized fields may be required to serve until the age of 45 for men and 35 for women.
