BTL to Meet Former Workers Over Long‑Overdue Severance

Former employees of Belize Telemedia Limited may finally see progress after decades of unpaid claims. A letter from BTL to the Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ) confirmed the company will meet the group today to finalise severance payments.

A Caribbean Court of Justice ruling affirmed their right to severance regardless of pensions, yet payments have remained stalled.

The dispute has affected more than 175 former staff, many of whom served BTL for over twenty years. News 5 has been following the prolonged demonstrations outside BTL’s headquarters by these former employees. Several spoke out about the financial hardship and deteriorating health they felt while waiting for compensation.

The BCWJ have described the delays as ‘bogus excuses and a lack of goodwill.’ Tensions rose after BTL announced plans to acquire SpeedNet for $80 million. The BCWJ criticised it as prioritising expansion over employees’ rights.

BTL has committed to pay even claims outside the usual six-year statute. The BCWJ says they need a definite date when every former employee will finally receive a cheque.