Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) has announced the near-completion of its severance payment obligations to former employees, fulfilling a mandate from last November’s Caribbean Court of Justice ruling. The telecommunications company reports successfully disbursing 98% of eligible claims that fall within the six-year limitation period established by national law.
According to an official statement, BTL initiated payments promptly following the judicial decision, though three former employees have yet to collect their entitled compensation. The company attributes this remaining balance to the individuals’ failure to complete necessary disbursement procedures at BTL offices.
This adherence to the statutory limitation period has ignited significant public debate regarding corporate responsibility versus legal technicalities. Critics argue that severance pay constitutes earned compensation that should transcend temporal legal boundaries, representing a fundamental matter of social justice rather than merely a contractual obligation.
Prime Minister John Briceño recently weighed in on the controversy, expressing his view that severance claims should not be subject to statute limitations. His comments came following parliamentary proceedings where he emphasized the moral imperative to compensate all former employees regardless of temporal constraints.
The Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ) has mobilized public demonstrations, conducting a three-day protest outside BTL’s Belize City headquarters. The labor advocacy group demands comprehensive payment for all affected workers, including those whose employment terminated beyond the six-year threshold.
In response to mounting pressure, BTL’s Board of Directors has initiated review procedures for claims predating the limitation period. A conclusive determination regarding these historically excluded cases is anticipated during the board’s forthcoming meeting.