BELIZE CITY – A protracted struggle for justice by former Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) employees reached a pivotal turning point this week following a decisive court ruling and sustained public demonstrations. The Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ), representing hundreds of retirees, has successfully compelled the telecommunications giant and government labor officials to commit to long-overdue severance payments.
The breakthrough emerged from a critical two-hour negotiation session mediated by the Labour Department. Organizer Emily Turner characterized the talks as “very good [and] fruitful,” highlighting a significant concession from BTL: the company has formally agreed to disburse severance packages to 564 identified former employees. This commitment follows a landmark ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which affirmed the retirees’ legal entitlement to these benefits.
While major progress was achieved, several procedural and financial details remain unresolved. Both parties are now scrutinizing historical employment data from 2005 to 2025 to finalize exact payment calculations, including contentious interest payments. A tight timeline has been established, with BTL expected to present a formal proposal by Thursday. The BCWJ intends to consult its membership over the weekend ahead of a conclusive meeting scheduled for next week.
Despite this victory on severance, the BCWJ’s advocacy campaign is far from concluded. The group has identified new concerns regarding potential income tax deductions from the promised payments and is mounting opposition to the proposed corporate consolidation of BTL and Speednet. Turner emphasized demands for “total transparency” and “proper due diligence” in the merger process.
In a poignant revelation, Turner expressed profound disappointment with the Communications Workers Union (CWU), the very institution historically built by BTL employees, for its conspicuous absence throughout the fight. This perceived abandonment has galvanized the BCWJ to evolve into a broader movement. The group announced plans to form a general workers union aimed at advocating for labor rights across multiple sectors in Belize, signaling a permanent expansion of their activist mandate.