( CNN ) -- Is paying a fine to get out of military service fair ? The question is at the center of a debate surging in Peru this month as the South American country 's government reveals new rules for a possible draft . Authorities say if the government ca n't fill thousands of vacancies with volunteers , it will start a draft this May . Men and women 18 and over are eligible . But those called up who do not want to serve can pay a fine of 1,850 soles ( $ 715 ) . Critics say the measure will allow the wealthy to avoid military service and leave the poor with no other choice than to join . Military leaders say the new measure is n't discriminatory and that the draft is a necessary step to shore up dwindling ranks . The option of paying a fine to avoid service has drawn sharp criticism from Peru 's government ombudsman . And opposition lawmakers have said they will summon Peru 's defense minister to testify over the matter . An editorial in the El Comercio newspaper this week described the new policy as `` discrimination against those who have the least . '' `` This is a hurdle designed so that only the people who have economic resources can jump over it , '' the editorial said . Nearly a third of Peru 's population lives below the poverty line , according to government statistics . A minimum wage salary is 750 soles ( $ 290 ) per month . The debate over who serves in the military , and why they join the ranks , resonates far beyond Peru 's borders . In Israel , thousands of demonstrators last year demanded an end to rules that make ultra-Orthodox Jews exempt from that country 's military draft . For more than a decade U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel has been pushing a controversial proposal to reinstate a draft in the United States . `` Currently the burden of defending our nation is carried by less than 1 % of the American population , '' the New York Democrat wrote in an opinion column published on CNN.com in January . `` The 2.2 million members of the armed forces in active duty , the National Guard and the Reserve have become a virtual military class that makes the ultimate sacrifice of laying down life and limb for our country . '' Bringing back the draft , he argued , `` would compel the American public to have a stake in the wars we fight as a nation . '' Many countries around the world require military service . Colombia , which borders Peru , also fines those who refuse to serve after they 're called up . In Peru , officials say sheer numbers have forced them to consider a draft , more than a decade after the country passed a law eliminating obligatory military service . Jose Cueto , chief of the joint command of Peru 's armed forces , told the state-run Andina news agency that there has been a `` drastic decrease '' in the number of people who join the military since the country switched to a volunteer force . Journalist Maria Elena Belaunde contributed to this report from Lima , Peru .
Authorities say Peru will likely hold a selective draft this May . Those who do n't want to serve can pay a $ 715 fine . Comment: Military leaders say the new measure is not discriminatory .