BTL Acknowledges CCJ Ruling Impact Amid Labor Dispute

According to the chairman, BTL’s profits are largely reinvested into network upgrades, fiber expansion, and technology modernization to ensure reliable and competitive services across Belize. He stressed that maintaining strong financial performance is necessary to support these long-term investments while continuing to contribute dividends and taxes to the Government of Belize.  Lizarraga also addressed the financial setback faced by the company following a recent ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) involving a long-running labor dispute between BTL and its workers.

Mark Lizarraga, Chairman: “Unforeseen event which is somewhere between 11 and 15 million dollars hit this year as a consequence of the CCJ’s ruling, which we will honor.  And we are honoring, we’ve already started this. For those that we have been informed are legally qualified to receive it we’re going to be following the law.”

That case stemmed from claims by BTL employees relating to severance and employment benefits following the company’s nationalization. The CCJ ultimately ruled in favor of the workers, ordering compensation that BTL was required to pay, resulting in a significant financial outlay by the company.  The chairman acknowledged that the ruling had a direct impact on BTL’s finances, but maintained that the company has absorbed the cost while continuing operations and planned investments.