BELIZE CITY – For the third consecutive day, members of the Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ) have maintained peaceful demonstrations outside Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) headquarters, intensifying their demands for severance payments allegedly withheld for over three decades.
The labor advocacy group now asserts that at least 175 former BTL employees remain uncompensated, despite the telecommunications company having reached settlements with approximately 70 others. BCWJ representative Emily Turner revealed that the number of claimants continues to expand as additional former workers come forward.
‘Initially we documented around 200 cases, but our list keeps growing as more former employees establish contact with our organization,’ Turner stated during the protests.
The contentious severance dispute traces back to 1994, when BTL operated as a national telecommunications monopoly. The legal landscape shifted significantly in 2025 when the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) issued a landmark ruling clarifying that pension benefits cannot legally substitute severance payments under Belize’s labor legislation, recognizing severance as a fundamental ‘social justice clause’.
Turner emphasized the critical distinction between these compensation mechanisms: ‘Pension plans are jointly funded by employees and the company through contributions, whereas severance constitutes an employer’s exclusive obligation intended to provide financial security for retired workers, particularly older employees facing limited reemployment prospects.’
The protests have encountered administrative hurdles, with police authorities denying permits for several planned demonstration days. This has prompted the BCWJ to formally appeal to the Commissioner of Police for intervention.
Adding complexity to the dispute, the workers’ union has raised serious concerns regarding BTL’s proposed acquisition of competing provider Speednet (SMART), questioning the company’s capacity to pursue an $80-100 million acquisition while outstanding labor obligations remain unresolved.
‘We maintain our unwavering commitment to securing justice for these workers,’ Turner affirmed. ‘Our presence here demonstrates our determination to continue this fight until all rightful severance payments are fulfilled.’