Myanmar suspends foreign work permits as thousands try to flee after enlistment order

Myanmar's military government has halted the issuing of permits for men to work abroad amid the ongoing civil war.The decision came weeks after the junta released an order mandatingenlistment of youthwhichprompted many to tryto leave the country.

Myanmar's authorities onThursday (May 3) announced that they are suspending all the applications from men for overseas work permits.

The labour ministry announced that ithassuspended the acceptance of applications from men seeking employment overseas temporarilyin a statement released by the junta's information team lateThursday.

This decisionwas deemednecessary to "take more time to verify departure processes and according to other issues,"the statement read as reported byAFP.

The junta implemented the conscription order in February, following which approximately 100,000 men requested work permits. According to media accounts, the order caused thousandsof peopleto line up for visas outside foreign embassies in Yangon, while some crossed into neighbouring Thailand to avoid enlistment.

Men between the ages of 18 and 35 and women between the ages of 18 and 27 are required to servea minimum oftwo years in the military.

The recent crackdown on overseas employmentis viewedas another major blowby Myanmar's military government.Numerous individuals in Myanmar have sought employment opportunities incountries such asThailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

Many Myanmar nationalsare currently employedin various Asian countries. Previously, locals were permitted to seek employment abroad.

Following the 2021 coup by the military, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically-elected government, the junta has been facing resistance from various factions, leading to a civil war that has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and the displacement of a minimum of 2.6 million individuals, as reported by the UN.