Prime Minister says he is satisfied with the payments by BTL to former employees

Prime Minister John Briceño says that while Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) initially made errors regarding severance payments owed to former employees, he is now satisfied that the company has taken steps to correct the situation and issue the necessary payouts.  The issue recently gained renewed attention after members of the Belize Communications Workers for Justice (BCWJ) staged a protest in Belmopan on March 10, calling for what they say are fair interest payments owed to former telecommunications workers following a ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice.  However, speaking on the matter, Prime Minister Briceño says he is satisfied at BTL’s remedies being taken. 

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “It’s unfortunate that some are insisting that they want their 6% all the way to I mean to eternity, going back. We felt, in the cabinet when we discussed it that I don’t think that BTL should go to court. They believe BTL that they can go to court and with the issue of the severance pay being statute barred. But we felt strongly that they messed up, BTL, because when they did their retirement package they included severance pay as I’m told in it but it was not spelt out and so they messed up. So well then you have to pay for your mistake. And I think it’s just reasonable to be able to pay the work, the 6% up to the ruling from the Supreme, up to where you’re statute barred and then going back then you pay the 3%. It’s a small group but I think we’ve done as best as we can as a government and yes we are the majority owners but there’s also a responsibility as a company BTL as a private company, as a privately run company and from the looks of it I don’t think we’ll be able to get dividends because it’s costing them millions of dollars that they have to pay.”

The Prime Minister explained that the telecommunications company has been issuing payments to rectify the situation, adding that he believes the process currently underway is moving toward a fair resolution.  Members of the BCWJ, however, maintain that they are seeking further dialogue with the Prime Minister and government officials, as they continue advocating for what they describe as the full interest owed to former workers.  The organization has indicated that it intends to continue its advocacy efforts until it believes the matter has been satisfactorily resolved.