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 takes effect immediately. 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 21 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:
– Officially recognized Buddhist monks and other religious figures
– Persons with disabilities or those deemed physically unfit
– Senior experts and specialists with certified expertise in science, technology, and innovation who contribute to national development
– Specialists assigned to support the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces through research or public-benefit missions, for a period equivalent to the otherwise applicable service period
– Individuals who have already completed military service under contract

Postponement
Citizens employed in public or private enterprises and performing specialized work may apply for a postponement of their military service once a year. The total duration of such postponements may not exceed three years in aggregate.

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
The law took effect immediately upon promulgation. However, the detailed mechanisms for call-up, registration, selection, and operational procedures are expected to be set out in subsequent implementing regulations (Sub-Decrees and Prakas). Until these implementing regulations are issued, certain operational aspects of the conscription regime remain to be clarified.

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 applicability and procedural requirements of the three-year postponement mechanism for employees engaged in specialized work
– The status of dual-national employees, including Japanese-Cambodian dual nationals
– Monitoring of forthcoming implementing regulations

For Assistance
Employers operating in Cambodia, particularly those with significant Cambodian workforces 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, the practical use of the postponement mechanism, and necessary updates to internal policies once the implementing regulations are issued.