Another side of the Clico saga

by David Hinkson

The collapse of the Colonial Life Insurance Company (CLICO) and its associated subsidiaries was one of the most controversial events in the Caribbean just over a decade ago.

Now, one of the employees who was caught up in the melee is sharing her story in a new book entitled There is More to Our Journey.
Speaking during the official launching ceremony for the book at the St. Paul’s Church conference centre Sunday, the author, Dominica-born Mona St.

Louis, who was manager for the insurance agents based in Barbados, said her passion for journalling led her to document the events that occurred as she dealt with this crisis.

“From childhood I always took notes of dates and times of events in my life, including family events and those that affected people that were close to me, and this developed into a love and passion for journalling.

“In August 2020, I heard a voice, which I recognised as the voice of God, telling me ‘Write your life story.’ So, this book covers three aspects of my life, namely my childhood and experiences as a young adult in Dominica, my work life and my spiritual life.”

The first part of the book speaks of her childhood growing up in the village of Massacre in Dominica, her involvement with church and community activities as a young woman, and ultimately when she began her career at CLICO, first as an agent and supervisor in Dominica, and then her move to Barbados.

The second part gives the history of CLICO leading up to its collapse and the fallout associated with it. “There are many untold stories about this, primarily regarding the agents and staff as it placed lots of hardships on them and their families, since when the company collapsed it was discovered that there was no provision made to pay them.”

St. Louis noted that God showed her what role she could play in resolving the situation at CLICO.

“On July 4, 2011, I was debating whether I should leave CLICO, and God told me not to do anything yet because there was a plan I had to fulfill there. Five years later, in 2016, we started a series of meetings with the then Minister of Finance in Barbados, Chris Sinckler, and eventually, after a tough battle with the powers that be, all agents and staff from CLICO’s offices in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean received their pension compensation after their names were finally added to the list of people to receive payment.”

The third part of the book examines her spiritual journey through the years, including the dark days of the CLICO debacle, and offers readers some inspiration as they embark on their own journey through life.

One of St. Louis’ colleagues, Hortense Trim-Gaskin, noted that her work in resolving matters for her fellow agents was an example of her “selfless nature and integrity; she worked for ten years on this matter and did not give up” while another colleague, Denise Mongerie-Rogers, said it demonstrated her passion and commitment to social justice. Gaskin added that the title of her book in itself, “There is more to Our Journey” emphasised her belief that they were all working together to achieve a common goal.

In closing, St. Louis commended everyone who had helped her with the production of the book, stating that “I look forward to your honest and uncensored thoughts on this book, and in reading it, I hope it will inspire you to possibly write your own, whether it is poetry, short stories or even a novel.

Each time a book comes out it gives a people, community or nation a voice.”