Families of soldiers on front lines exploited by senior military officials

September 6, 2022

HURFOM: According to sources close to the military, families of lower ranked soldiers, i.e. private class who are based in Mawlamyine, or who are serving on the front lines, are being exploited by upper military officials.

The primary way this takes place is through loans attached with high interest rates, according to one source.

Family members of soldiers are dependent on the military salaries, which are not sufficient to cover the rising costs of basic commodities. Family members then have to borrow money from senior military officials who are charging high interest rates.

“My husband is on the front line and I and my children live here (in the battalion). His salary isn’t enough for us, so we have to borrow money from the captains. We have to pay the interest. After getting the salary, we’ve paid the debt. Then, we have to borrow again. It keeps going round in circles,” saidthe wife of a private soldier.

The family members of lower-ranked soldiers have to stay in the battalion and completely depend on the military salary, but have quickly gotten into debt due to rising prices of basic commodities.

Although the military council provided an additional monetary support of 30,000 kyat/per soldier and for members of police forces, this supplement appears to be insufficient.

“Most families (of these soldiers) are in debt. They rely on the salary of their husband for basic goods, which are costing more and more. Then, they have to borrow money again. Some families now have to use all the salary just to pay interest and they have to borrow money to buy food,” continued the source.

Compounding this burden, military commanders have banned spouses of soldiers from securing any work outside of the battalion.

According to local news agencies, some soldiers are making extra money from burning down villages and looting valuables belonging to villagers.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News