Foreign Minister Fonseca Warns of Real Threat to Jobs for 18,000 Belizeans as Congress Moves to “Keep Call Centers in America”

By: Omar Silva I Editor/Publisher

National Perspective Belize – Digital

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

Belize City: Friday 15th August 2025

Belize’s Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector, employing approximately 18,000 people, is at the center of a looming storm. The “Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025,” currently making its way through the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support, threatens to disrupt the lifeline of employment for Belizean youth and young professionals.

Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca warned this week that the legislation presents a real, tangible risk to the industry, even as the government maintains that preparations are underway to safeguard its future.

Government Response:

Speaking candidly, Fonseca emphasized caution and adaptability:

"No, I think we have to be concerned about it. We have to be… not scared, but prepared. Things are changing. There was a lot of talk for the last year or two about AI overtaking that industry… now there seems to be bipartisan support for this 'Keep Call Centers in America Bill.' So we have to be looking at it. We have to be prepared," Fonseca said.

He also reassured that the government is engaging directly with the sector:

"The Ministry of Economic Development, the Minister of Finance, has met with the sector. They’re having discussions, talking about how we can work together, to prepare for any changes that might come… I know minister Chris Coye works very closely with the BPO sector. So I’m confident that they’re on top of it."

The Stakes for Belize:

The BPO industry has grown tremendously in the past five years, becoming a pillar of Belize’s job market. It provides employment for a significant portion of the country’s young workforce and has helped reduce the unemployment figures that have long dominated public discourse.

But as journalist Jules Vasquez pointed out during the interview, Belize’s reliance on BPOs also exposes a vulnerability:

"Has your administration built its castle in the sand… really it depends on the continued success of the BPO industry, which we do not control."

Fonseca countered, calling it an evolving industry:

"It’s not a castle in the sand. It’s an evolving industry… You have to adapt, you have to change, you have to adapt along with it."

Short-Term Outlook:

Should the U.S. legislation pass, Belize could see a temporary slowdown in new contracts, particularly from American companies seeking to comply with the bill’s restrictions. While the government is working with local operators, short-term uncertainty may impact hiring and expansion plans.

Medium-Term Outlook:

Over the next 3–5 years, the industry may be pressured to diversify its client base beyond the U.S., exploring markets in Canada, Europe, and other regions. Investment in training, AI integration, and service diversification will be crucial for survival and growth.

Long-Term Outlook:

In the long term, Belize’s BPO sector has an opportunity to reinvent itself as a competitive global hub, offering advanced digital services while leveraging its English-speaking workforce and proximity to North America. However, this will require careful government planning, proactive industry engagement, and substantial investment in workforce skills.

National Perspective:

The risk is clear: Belize’s economic and employment gains tied to BPOs are largely dependent on foreign legislative decisions, over which the country has no control. While the PUP government has demonstrated awareness and engagement, Belizeans deserve more than reassurance—they deserve a clear, strategic plan to ensure the sector can weather external shocks, secure jobs, and continue contributing to the economy.

Call to Action:

As the “Keep Call Centers in America Act” moves through Congress, Belize must act swiftly. The government, industry leaders, and educators must collaborate to:

Diversify the BPO client base beyond the U.S.

Invest in technological adaptation to integrate AI and automation efficiently.

Prepare the workforce with upskilling programs in digital services.

Develop a long-term, national strategy to reduce dependence on foreign regulatory decisions.

The future of thousands of Belizean families may very well hinge on these decisions.