CNI News
14 November 2025
Questions are being raised among military and political analysts about what kinds of opportunities the government should provide to those who have dutifully completed their public conscription service.
The People's Military Service Law (Public Conscription Law) was enforced on February 10, 2024, and training began with monthly batches of 5,000 people each. As of now, the training has reached its 19th intake.
On November 8, Deputy Minister of Labour and Chair of the Committee for Overseas Employment Assignments, U Win Shein, said that those who have successfully completed their conscription service would be supported by the government in finding employment abroad if they wish to work overseas.
Political analyst U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News that the government should provide strong benefits and opportunities to those who complete their conscription duties, and that determining what benefits to provide is an important aspect of national policy.
Supporters of the conscription law seen
He said: “Going abroad for work is good, but that alone is not enough. The main thing is to clearly explain what incentives conscripts will receive after completing their service. We welcome the plan to help them find jobs abroad. If I may say this—look at how the United States provides benefits to its veterans. Myanmar should study those systems and offer similar support. There must be real incentives. Why else would people risk their lives? And right now, this conflict is happening among fellow citizens, so people are very distressed. But if this is declared as national policy, then when the government implements it, the incentives to be provided become extremely important. Helping conscripts find overseas jobs is a start, but in my view, it is still not enough. More should be done.”
U Thein Tun Oo, Executive Director of the Institute for Strategy Studies, told CNI News that there is nothing impossible about implementing such a national-level initiative, and that many opportunities could be provided to public conscripts depending on government plans, rules, and regulations.
Public conscripts seen
He said:“At the national level, there is nothing that cannot be implemented. The government already connects with external agencies to send workers abroad. So if this is handled systematically at the state level, why would it not succeed? For example, if someone wants to work abroad, or if they left a job to fulfill their conscription duty, they could be given the chance to return to that job. There are many such possibilities. Everything will follow the relevant laws and regulations.”
Currently in Myanmar, both the military and some armed groups are reportedly recruiting and arresting young people for forced conscription, causing significant worry and fear among the general population, according to various assessments.
