Cambodia’s new Law on Military Duty was promulgated by Royal Code on 23 May 2026, signed by Acting Head of State Hun Sen, and being declared urgent, took effect on 24 May 2026 in accordance with Article 93 of the Constitution. The new law replaces the 2006 Law on Military Conscription, which had been promulgated but never enforced. It consists of 8 chapters and 20 articles, drafted in accordance with the amended Article 49 of the Constitution. While the law is primarily a matter of national defense, it has practical implications for human resources planning and workforce management for enterprises operating in Cambodia.

Background
The previous Law on Military Conscription, promulgated on 22 December 2006, comprised 6 chapters and 18 articles and required Cambodian citizens aged 18 to 30 to complete 18 months of military service. The 2006 law was never implemented, with analysts citing fiscal constraints and competing national priorities. In 2025, the Royal Government announced that compulsory military service would be enforced from 2026, and the draft of the new law was approved by the Council of Ministers on 23 April 2026, passed unanimously by the National Assembly on 12 May 2026, approved by the Senate on 20 May 2026, and promulgated on 23 May 2026.

Scope of Application
Under the new law, Cambodian men aged 18 to 25 are required to complete 24 months of military service. Military service for women remains on a voluntary basis. Notably, the law also applies to dual nationals residing in Cambodia. The Royal Government may extend the service period by up to a further 6 months. After completing service, conscripts become reserve soldiers until the age of 45.
The new law adopts what the Royal Government has described as a “needs-based conscription system,” referencing the models of countries such as Singapore and Finland. The Royal Government retains discretion to determine the number of conscripts called up in any given period.

Exemptions
The law provides for exemptions for the following categories of persons:
– Buddhist monks and clergy of other religions approved by the Ministry of Cults and Religion
– Persons confirmed by a health committee, on examination, not to meet the required physical standards
– Citizens with special ability or talent in the fields of science, technology and innovation, as certified by the competent ministry or institution
– Specialists who have entered into a cooperation agreement to perform research missions or to carry out work in the public interest of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, for a period equal to the period of military service under the law
– Citizens who have completed service as contract soldiers in accordance with the laws in force

Postponement
Persons selected to perform military service may apply for a postponement once a year (Article 7). Eligibility is confined to students in education, migrant workers, and civil servants on assignment abroad, and postponements may be granted up to four times (four years) in aggregate (Article 11 of Sub-Decree No. 176).

Reporting Obligation and Penalties for Evasion
Individuals summoned for military service must report within 30 days of receiving the summons, failing which they shall be considered draft evaders unless a valid reason is provided. Penalties for evasion are differentiated by national circumstances:
– During peacetime: imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years and a fine of USD 250 to USD 1,000
– During war or foreign attack: imprisonment from 2 to 5 years and a fine of USD 1,000 to USD 2,500

Implementation
Sub-Decree No. 176 has been issued to implement the law, setting out among other matters the eligibility criteria for postponement. The detailed operation of call-up, registration and selection procedures remains to be observed in practice.

Implications for Employers
Although the Law on Military Duty is primarily a national defense law, it has direct human-resources implications for businesses with Cambodian male employees in the 18–25 age bracket, as well as for employees with dual nationality residing in Cambodia. Areas warranting consideration include:
– Workforce planning and continuity for affected employees
– The treatment of employment contracts and benefits during the period of military service, in light of the Labour Law and internal work rules
– The limited scope of the postponement mechanism, which does not extend to employees on the basis of their employment alone
– The status of dual-national employees, including Japanese-Cambodian dual nationals
– Monitoring of the practical operation of the call-up process

For Assistance
Employers operating in Cambodia, particularly those with significant Cambodian workforce in the 18–25 age bracket or employees with dual nationality, should monitor developments closely and consult with their legal and HR advisors regarding the treatment of employment relationships affected by call-up and necessary updates to internal work rules.