According to the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) the families of lower rank soldiers, such as privates based in the Mon State capital of Mawlamyine, are being exploited by higher ranking officers.

The military families who have spoken to HURFOM explained that the salaries of private soldiers are not sufficient to cover the rising costs of commodities. The only way they can survive is by borrowing money.

So, more senior military officers are lending money to the lower ranks at very high rates of interest, leading to the lower ranks being caught in a cycle of never-ending debt. According to the families, this is the main way senior officers are exploiting their men.

The wife of a private soldier said to HURFOM: “My husband is on the front lines and my family lives in the battalion [base]. His salary isn’t enough for us, so we have to borrow money from captains. Then we are in debt… It keeps going round in circles.”

Though the military gave additional financial support of 30,000 kyats to every soldier and policeman this appears to be insufficient and leaves them still having to borrow money.

“Most families 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 more money. Some families now have to use all of their husband’s salary just to pay interest and then they have to borrow money to buy food”, said the private’s wife.

The situation has been compounded because military commanders have forbidden soldiers’ spouses from doing any work outside the battalion bases. According to HUMFROM, some soldiers have turned to supplementing their incomes by looting valuables belonging to villagers and then burning their houses down.

The Human Rights Foundation of Monland is a local human rights organization which aims for the restoration of democracy, human rights & genuine peace in Myanmar.