Hindus struggle with livelihood hardships amid job shortages in Arakan State

By Admin 23 Feb 2026

DMG Newsroom

23 February 2026, Maungdaw

Since renewed fighting between Myanmar’s military regime and the Arakan Army (AA) in late 2023, people across Arakan State have been grappling with soaring commodity prices and a severe shortage of jobs.

Among those affected, Hindu communities say they are facing acute hardships, relying on irregular, low-paid work due to a lack of stable employment opportunities.

Hindu women commonly work as laundresses or fish vendors in local markets, while men take on manual labour at jetties and markets to support their families.

“Hindu women earn about K90,000 a month from laundry work. We have to live very frugally on that. The men work as daily labourers handling cargo and also have to be very careful with spending. We are facing many difficulties,” said U Kyaw Sein, a Hindu resident of Done Village in Kyauktaw Township.

Hindus in Kyauktaw Township say they do not own agricultural land to farm and lack the financial capital to start businesses. As a result, they remain dependent on low-paying odd jobs with limited economic prospects.

Community members added that the Hindu population in Kyauktaw has long struggled with low literacy rates and inadequate access to basic education. They say these disadvantages have made it difficult to access essential rights, including education and healthcare.

“We don’t have land for farming, so we have to do whatever odd jobs we can find. We face major hurdles in education. If we had financial means and land, we could plan for progress and see a way forward,” said U Chan Chool Nat of Done Village.

Marginalized in various social sectors, Hindu residents also report facing significant challenges in accessing medical treatment during health emergencies.

At the same time, community members said their freedom of movement and social relations have improved under the administration of the United League of Arakan (ULA) compared with the period under military rule.

“I want job opportunities to be created for our Hindu people. Most Hindus are poor, and there is no one to provide aid or look after them,” said Daw Hla Hla Kyi.

Hindus, whose movement was restricted during the previous military administration, expressed hope that their education, socio-economic conditions and rights will improve under the current ULA administration.

More than 20,000 Hindus live in Arakan State, mainly in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Sittwe, Kyauktaw and Ponnagyun townships, with the majority working as daily-wage labourers.