98% of BTL Severance Paid, But What About Claims Older Than 6 Years?

Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) says it has completed nearly all severance payments owed to former employees following a Caribbean Court of Justice ruling last November.

In a statement, the company confirmed it began processing payments “without delay” and has now settled 98 percent of eligible claims that were made “within the 6-year limitation period prescribed by section 4 of the Limitation Act”.

BTL noted that three former employees have yet to collect their payments. “The remaining two percent… have not attended BTL offices to complete the disbursement,” the release stated.

But the company’s reliance on the six‑year statute of limitations has sparked criticism. Some argue severance is not just a legal requirement but a matter of fairness. One social media comment read, “The judgement does not say that if six years has passed… BTL cannot pay said employee their already earned severance monies. On the contrary, the Judge articulates… the purpose of severance is a form of social justice.”

BTL’s statement came after Prime Minister John Briceño spoke following Friday’s House sitting, saying former employees have a strong case. “I don’t think there is a statute bar for your severance pay… At the end of the day, some way has to be found to pay those people,” he said.

The Belize Communication Workers for Justice (BCWJ) staged three days of protest outside BTL’s headquarters in Belize City, demanding payment to workers even beyond the six‑year limit.

BTL concluded its release by noting that its Board of Directors is reviewing claims from workers whose employment ended more than six years ago.

A final decision is expected at the board’s next meeting.