Belize City, February 27, 2026 – A protracted severance dispute between Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) and former employees has escalated to involve the highest levels of government, with Prime Minister John Briceño calling for immediate resolution while accusing the Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ) of exploiting the situation.
The conflict centers on outstanding severance payments and accumulated interest for former BTL workers. Prime Minister Briceño emphasized that BTL has already committed to paying the base severance amounts, regardless of potential court outcomes, but expressed concern over the BCWJ’s insistence on six percent interest payments dating back to a Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ruling.
“I do believe that the BCWJ is taking advantage of the situation and demanding the six percent interest,” stated Briceño during a phone interview. “BTL has offered to settle with any qualified employees who provide evidence of eligibility, including severance plus six percent interest from the CCJ ruling date. I consider this fair and urge the group to settle.”
Meanwhile, negotiations between BCWJ and BTL have collapsed, prompting the workers’ group to seek the Prime Minister’s direct intervention. BCWJ organizers Michael Augustus and Emily Turner contend that while they have compromised during negotiations, BTL has remained inflexible. They argue that as the government appoints BTL’s board members, the administration bears responsibility for resolving the standoff.
Turner highlighted the financial dimensions of the dispute: “BTL calculated the amount owed beyond six years at approximately $4.8 million. Even doubling that figure remains under $10 million—a manageable sum for the company.”
The impasse has raised questions about BTL’s priorities, with Union Senator Glenfield Dennison criticizing the company’s preference for legal battles over settlement. “They appear willing to pour money into legal fees rather than compensate the hardworking Belizean people who built BTL,” Dennison remarked, suggesting the company might be making either an intentional miscalculation or demonstrating incompetence.
With both sides entrenched in their positions, the dispute continues to highlight tensions between corporate governance, worker rights, and government oversight in Belize’s telecommunications sector.