A proposed corporate consolidation in Belize’s telecommunications sector is facing unexpected and growing pushback from frontline employees, just one week after company leadership gave the green light to move forward with the deal.
In August 2026, the Belize Communications Workers Union (BCWU) announced that 84% of its members who work at Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) now oppose the company’s planned acquisition of competing telecom provider SMART. This marks a sharp reversal from January of the same year, when the majority of BTL staff initially voiced support for the merger.
Union representatives explain that this early backing was conditional: workers agreed to entertain the acquisition on the understanding that their core concerns – ranging from job security, future corporate governance structures, potential financial risks, and formal worker protection guarantees – would be thoroughly reviewed and addressed by BTL’s leadership before any final vote. After months of waiting for detailed disclosures and meaningful negotiations, the BCWU confirms that nearly all of these critical questions remain unanswered.
The opposition follows a recent split vote by BTL’s Board of Directors, which advanced the acquisition process with an 8-2 vote in favor of continuing the transaction. Despite the board’s formal approval to move ahead, the union has stressed that rushed action without full transparency and inclusive consultation is unacceptable.
In a statement, the BCWU emphasized that BTL’s employees are not just hourly or salaried staff – they are key stakeholders with direct, personal stakes in the deal’s outcome. The acquisition touches not only on their individual livelihoods but also on one of Belize’s most critical national infrastructure assets, making worker input a non-negotiable part of the process.
To amplify their call for accountability, the BCWU has announced it will partner with the National Trade Union Congress of Belize to map out next steps for the opposition movement. The union’s core demand remains unchanged: any final decision on the acquisition must be conducted through open, responsible processes that center the voices of the workers who will be most affected by the outcome.