Former BTL Workers Win Landmark Severance Case

On Wednesday, ten former BTL employees scored a victory at the Caribbean Court of Justice. The CCJ ruled in their favor, confirming their right to severance pay under the Belize Labor Act and overturning a previous decision by the Court of Appeal. So, what does this mean for other Belizean workers? And will BTL be held accountable for not following labor laws? We put those questions to Valentino Shal, CEO of the Ministry of Labor. He shared some key insights into what this ruling could mean for labor rights moving forward. Here’s what he had to say.

 

Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Labor

“The CCJ ruling, I believe came out yesterday regarding severance. It’s of course a groundbreaking ruling. It’s very significant, and we are at this moment reviewing it at the Labor department this morning I briefly discussed it with the labor commissioner. But of course, it’ll take some internal discussions to see how, what implications this has for Belize’s labor market.”

 

Reporter

“It doesn’t impact government, right? They’re doing what they should do.”

 

Valentino Shal

“Like I said we need to carefully examine the ruling and carefully examine the implications. And of course it’s a very significant ruling. And so, if it affects the public sector and the private sector differently. We have to yet determine that. But it’s very important that we acknowledge it and then we respect the ruling and of course and begin to ensure that there is compliance with it.”

 

Britney Gordon

“At this point, does it do we know if it will affect Belize and employers who have transitioned from severance schemes to pension plans?”

 

Valentino Shal

“As I said earlier, we have to examine the situ, the ruling. And the implications of the ruling and ensure that there is compliance with it.”