2 weeks ago
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A new bill introduced in the U.S. Senate, the “Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025,” has the potential to significantly impact Belize’s thriving Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. The legislation, which aims to protect American jobs and increase transparency for consumers, could dampen the growth of a sector that has become a vital part of Belize’s economy. The “Keep Call Centers in America Act” would introduce several new requirements for U.S. companies that outsource call center work. Among those requirements are for businesses that relocate call centers or contract work overseas to notify the U.S. Department of Labor at least 120 days in advance. These companies would be placed on a publicly available list and would be ineligible for new federal grants or guaranteed loans for five years. They could also face penalties on existing federal awards. Furthermore, the Bill mandates that all call center work performed for federal contracts must be done within the United States. Additionally, federal agencies would be required to give preference to U.S. companies that do not appear on the outsourcing list when awarding contracts. The legislation would also require call center agents to disclose their physical location to customers. If the agent is located outside the U.S. or if an artificial intelligence (AI) system is being used, the customer must be informed and given the option to be transferred to a human agent located in the United States. Belize’s BPO industry has experienced rapid growth, employing over 16,000 people and contributing significantly to the national economy with millions of dollars in annual salaries. The industry has flourished due to Belize’s English-speaking workforce, its strategic time zone alignment with the U.S., and a business-friendly environment. If the “Keep Call Centers in America Act” is passed, it could create significant challenges for Belize’s BPO sector. It could see call centers return their operations back to the U.S. to avoid penalties and remain eligible for federal funding or loans. Such a requirement could lead to a decline in business for Belize-based call centers that work with clients holding such contracts. The Bill, under the Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025, was introduced and read twice in the US Senate last Tuesday, July 29. It has since been referred to the US Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The legislative process in the US Senate can vary greatly in length, making it difficult to gauge a precise timeline. Love News understands that it could take anywhere from a few days to a year or more.
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