Kuala Lumpur, 14 May 2024 – On 06 May 2024, Her Excellency Maria Angela A. Ponce conducted a site visit at Ibiden Electronics Malaysia (IEM), along with Third Secretary and Vice Consul Patricia Anne Laggui, Labor Attaché Teresa Lourdes Pimentel, and Commercial Counsellor Norjamin Delos Reyes.

 

Ambassador Ponce was warmly welcomed by Ibiden Managing Director Hayashi Katsuhiko, along with Deputy Managing Director Yoshiniko Kiratani, HRGA Deputy Group Manager Ayman Dhamiri, and HR Deputy Group Manager Azamri Dollah.

 

The visit, marked by insightful discussions, highlighted the pivotal role of IEM’s Filipino employees, who make up 8% of the company’s personnel. Ambassador Ponce expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with IEM and commended the company’s inclusive practices.

 

In her remarks, Ambassador Ponce highlighted the Embassy’s priority to reach out to Overseas Filipinos in Malaysia and acknowledged the importance of OFWs in Penang. She also emphasized the importance of fostering partnerships to support the Filipino workforce and assured IEM of its support in addressing the cap on the number of Filipino workers in various sectors.

 

Echoing these sentiments, Labor Attaché Teresa Lourdes Pimentel and Commercial Counsellor Norjamin Delos Reyes underscored the mutual benefits of collaboration between IEM and the Philippines and its commitment to maintaining favorable working conditions. Meanwhile, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Patricia Anne G. Laggui assured IEM of the Embassy’s commitment in providing consular services such as passports, civil registration and notarial services. She also encouraged the employees to register for overseas absentee voting at the Embassy and MWO so they can exercise their right to vote during the midterm elections in 2025.

 

As the visit concluded, Ambassador Ponce expressed her gratitude to the Filipino workers who carved time out of their busy schedule to meet with the Embassy team.