Business owners in Mon State report that the Junta’s conscription law has triggered prompted a mass exodus of young people fleeing abroad, leaving the region with a crisis over acute labour shortage.
In response to the military conscription, young individuals from Mon State have fled abroad en masse, resulting in severe labour shortages across various sectors including construction, manufacturing, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), agriculture, and livestock in the region.
Business people across diverse sectors, encompassing construction, factories, restaurants, hotels and tourism, agriculture and livestock, describe a severe labour shortage crisis, notably affecting the construction industry the most, while others have witnessed a halving of their available workers.
An entrepreneur in the livestock and ranching industry noted that businesses heavily reliant on manual labour are grappling with the negative impacts of the Junta's conscription law and are struggling to sustain regular operations.
He also pointed out that the diminishing number of able-bodied individuals in Mon State's labour force is triggering a domino effect, leading to a decline in productivity.
Another SME entrepreneur also predicted that with the scarcity of both skilled workers and manual laborers, a notable decrease in manufacturing production should be anticipated in the near future.
"Sectors like construction, which heavily rely on manpower, have been hit hard. The shortage of both skilled workers and manual laborers has made tasks such as heavy lifting and transportation increasingly difficult. These conditions will undoubtedly impact productivity”, he said.
Business owners also anticipated that the conscription law's effect, of triggering a mass departure of young workers abroad. would lead most companies to struggle in expanding or operating at full capacity, ultimately resulting in a negative impact on the country's GDP.
Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing's enforced conscription law mandates that men aged 18 – 35, serve in the military for a duration of 2 - 5 years.
On May 1, the Junta announced an indefinite ban on men working abroad, following a surge in young people seeking employment overseas to avoid the conscription law.
However, experts warn that the ban may result in an increase in the number of people turning to illegal methods to work abroad.
