During January 2013, there were instances of abuse that were perpetrated by religious leaders in Papun District. Villagers reported that they were ordered to provide both labour and money for two local projects.

On January 1st 2013, construction began on the new Htee Lah Eh Hta Bridge, which will cross the Yunzalin River, near Noh Hta village in Papun District. The project is led by U Thuzana[2] who is the head monk at Myaing Gyi Ngu Monastery.[3] The project leaders demanded 184 villagers from 30 villages in five different village tracts[4] to work every day.

Villagers reported that every village must provide workers, including children.[6] Anyone who does not attend must ensure that a replacement is sent or they cannot avoid working. Based on the KHRG community member's research, the civilians have been told by the monk that the construction of the bridge is a religious donation, ever since the project began, and are not compensated for their labour except for the provision of three meals per day. In order for the civilians to not complain about the work and that the project moves forward, security is provided by the local Tatmadaw Border Guard Force (BGF) lieutenants from Battalion #1014, which is based in Meh Pree.[7] 

One village head from K--- village, named Saw G---, said, "If it is the donation work, it would be okay even if we do not go. But now, it is like you can't stay [home] if you don't go, so it is not donation [work] anymore." The community member reported that the bridge construction is expected to be finished within three years, with the villagers being ordered to do labour for the entire time. Originally, villagers were told that the project would only require six months. Although the civilians complain about being forced to labour for the bridge construction, they will likely have to continue until the project is completed.

On January 12nd 2013, an anonymous T--- villager told the KHRG community member that one monk, named Hkay Maung Win,[8] based in Meh Pree village tract, Bu Tho Township, planned a New Year celebration in Htoo Wah place, which is known for its rubber plantation. He demanded that villagers from Htee Th'Daw Hta and Kyaw Pah village tracts send a total of 1,150,000 kyat (US $1,223)[9] by January 13th. Each village was expected to provide a specified amount:[10] 

In determining whether an incident ought to be categorised as forced labour, KHRG relies upon the definition included in the International Labour Organization (ILO) Forced Labour Convention, which defines forced or compulsory labour as "all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily." In the context of labour imposed by a Buddhist leader, performing the work can be understood as a religious obligation, with serious social, spiritual, and material consequences for refusal; according to one villager, "They [villagers] felt like, even if they are busy, they have to do the labour because it is for [Buddhist] merit." KHRG continues to receive reports from members of the communities in eastern Burma describing the ongoing requests for labour unreasonable and profoundly impactful on the daily lives of villagers. Where villagers make clear that they do not feel free to refuse requests for religious labour, KHRG considers these requests to be forced labour.