Enforced military service in Myanmar: A new & disturbing risk for workers

Last month, Myanmar’s junta declared it will enforce military service laws for young people. 

ETI along with others have already advised that a normal approach to human rights due diligence is not possible in Myanmar. This new threat of conscription from the State Administration Council (SAC) poses a new and very disturbing situation for employers, their customers and wider society in Myanmar. 

ETI has issued a briefing note to its members, in which we highlight our understanding of the risks this represents to workers. Whilst it is not clear how this new law will be implemented, we urge companies sourcing from Myanmar to closely monitor the development of the situation in order to protect the rights of workers and not expose them to further human rights risk.