Human rights monitors say the military junta’s promise to provide jobs for those who complete conscription is nothing more than hollow rhetoric, with no meaningful implementation on the ground.
On June 8, 2025, the military junta announced the formation of a committee aimed at supporting employment opportunities for former conscripts. The committee claimed it would provide vocational training and work with government departments and the private sector to secure job placements for both permanent soldiers and those completing public military service.
However, human rights advocates argue that young conscripts are being sent into dangerous frontlines with little hope of returning safely to civilian life. One Mon-based activist described the program as a “propaganda tool” designed solely to boost recruitment.
“Youths are being forcibly conscripted through illegal methods, and the chance of them returning to normal life is extremely low. The so-called job placement plan is vague and unconvincing. It looks more like an excuse to deploy capable people wherever the military needs,” the activist said.
He also raised concerns that private companies may be pressured by the military junta to give hiring priority to former conscripts.
Observers say the junta should focus less on superficial promises and more on providing actual support for lower-ranking soldiers and their families — including proper insurance and compensation for those killed or injured in combat.
In Mon State, newly trained conscripts are reportedly being deployed directly to frontline areas. Recruitment efforts continue under immense pressure, driven by the junta’s growing demand for manpower.
“We just hope they return alive. Right after training, they’re immediately sent to distant frontline duty. If the country stabilizes, the need for soldiers may drop. But for now, recruitment is being enforced harshly. That might only ease if a legitimate government returns,” said a source close to the military in Paung Township.
Some youths from Mon State, deployed to northeastern battlefronts after just one week of training, remain missing or unreachable. Only a few have managed to contact their families.
Myanmar has been in deep political crisis since the February 1, 2021 coup. The military junta began enforcing the conscription law on February 10, 2024, and by the 15th batch, more than 75,000 people had been conscripted — with 5,000 recruits per batch.
