The Ministry of Labour is reviewing a recent ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that could reshape how severance and pension obligations are handled in Belize. The court ruled that severance is a legal right, not something employers can waive in contracts or replace
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has promoted a revamped mobile app, VenApp, encouraging citizens to report suspicious people or activities amid fears of a U.S. attack. The app, originally launched in 2022 to report utility issues, has been repurposed as a tool for citizens to inform
Belize’s tourism sector may face ripple effects from sweeping flight reductions across the United States, as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) moves to cut scheduled capacity by 10% in 40 high-volume air traffic zones starting Friday. The cuts, announced Wednesday, are a direct response to staffing
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (KHMHAWU) is adding its voice to growing public concern over government transparency. The Union is backing activist Jeremy Enriquez’s Freedom of Information (FOIA) appeal. "The people of Belize have a right to know how their taxes are used,
On Wednesday afternoon, members of the Ladyville and Lord’s Bank village councils met with government officials for a preliminary consultation on the possibility of township designation for their growing communities. Area Representative Dolores Balderamos-Garcia said the meeting was not to promote or push an agenda but
The government has officially released the list of public and bank holidays for the year 2026. The announcement, made by the Belize Press Office, confirms the dates on which national observances will be celebrated across the country. The calendar includes 14 holidays, beginning with New Year’s Day
A prominent Corozal Free Zone businessman survived what is being described as an apparent execution attempt near the Mile 8 roundabout in Hattieville on Wednesday night. Nitin Buxani, accompanied by a driver, was inside a pickup truck when the vehicle came under heavy gunfire at approximately
There’s a major win today for former Belize Telemedia employees in a landmark case before the Caribbean Court of Justice. Ten retirees, some forced out at fifty-five, others who took early retirement, argued that they were owed severance pay under the Labour Act, even after
So, what does this mean? If you’ve worked for more than ten years and leave under mandatory or voluntary retirement, you’re entitled to severance, period. The CCJ’s judgment reinforces that Belize’s Labor Act is social justice legislation designed to protect workers, not employers’ bottom lines.
Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay says the real challenge now lies with current employees who’ve been part of pension schemes that didn’t include severance. That means BTL may have to go back, look at years of service and calculate what those workers are owed when they
