The military government of Myanmar has implemented a stringent travel restriction on conscription-age men, effectively halting their ability to seek employment abroad. This decision follows an earlier mandate requiring men aged 18 to 35 and women aged 18 to 27 to enlist in the military, a move that led to a significant surge in applications for overseas work permits. In the three months following the conscription announcement in February, nearly 100,000 men applied for these permits, indicating a widespread desire to avoid military service amid escalating conflict within the country.
Previously, Myanmar citizens, benefiting from a large diaspora throughout Asia, had the freedom to travel internationally for work opportunities. Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates were common destinations. The new travel restrictions represent a severe blow to many, particularly young men who view overseas employment as a critical escape from the intensifying civil unrest and diminishing job prospects at home.
The situation has reached a critical point, with many young people expressing feelings of hopelessness and frustration. A 32-year-old man, poised to leave for Japan, shared his despair with Burmese, lamenting the lack of future prospects and questioning the junta’s restrictive policies. Similarly, Ko Phyo, a 28-year-old from Lewey Township in Naypyidaw, voiced concerns to the media about the bleak work opportunities for the country’s youth following the military council’s directive.
The backdrop to these developments is the ongoing civil war, which has intensified since the military ousted the democratically-elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in a 2021 coup. The conflict has led to thousands of deaths and displaced at least 2.6 million people, according to the United Nations. This turmoil has spurred tens of thousands of young people, particularly men, to flee the country, with many seeking refuge in the Thai border town of Mae Sot to evade national conscription.
