With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of our dear colleague, friend and tireless advocate for workers’ rights, Sergio Chávez.

Sergio died on February 9, his 69th birthday, after a long battle with cancer.

Sergio was a key source of information and analysis for us at MSN and for many others who called on him to verify rumours about factory closures, layoffs, or brands’ plans to leave the country, among others. Even in his final days, he was responding to messages and answering questions.

Sergio started as an activist in the Telecommunications Union in El Salvador in 1979. Due to the armed conflict and lack of civil liberties, he left the country for Europe in 1985. From Europe, he supported the Salvadoran labour movement, lobbying and establishing relationships with unions and other civil society organizations.

After returning to El Salvador in 1993, he coordinated popular education projects and collaborated with unions, including the union federation FEASIES with which he had worked for decades.

Over the past 20 years, he focused his research, analysis, and training on working conditions and wages in the maquila sector.

Before joining the MSN team, he worked as the regional researcher for the National Labor Committee on issues related to certain export industries, including garments, harnesses, flowers and fruit, in the five Central American countries.

For over a decade, Sergio was an indispensable member of the MSN team, writing research reports, organizing workshops and sharing his deep knowledge and unique insights on labour issues. His influence extended well beyond our team, reaching trade union, women's and human rights organizations in Central America.

MSN isn't the same without Sergio. We will continue to honour his memory, his irreverent sense of humour, and his commitment to the struggle for workers’ rights.

Sergio presente.

Today, a dear friend and colleague passed away. He accompanied FEASIES and garment maquila workers for many years,
not only in our country,but throughout Central America, providing research findings and support.
Thank you, Sergio Chavez. My deepest condolences to his family.
-- Marta Zaldaña, General Secretary, FEASIES

EMIH mourns the passing of a dear friend, who so often served as part of our team. He was present when we needed him most,
sharing his contributions and knowledge to strengthen efforts to improve conditions for workers,
especially those in the Central American maquila industry. Sergio always had an important perspective to contribute.
He knew how to link what was happening in [El Salvador] with what was happening in the rest of Central America and the world.
-- Independent Monitoring Team of Honduras (EMIH)