On 3 May 2011, Ms. Pangmas Wichiensin, Counsellor (Labour Affairs), along with Mr. Voradet Viravakin, Consul-General of Thailand to Penang, visited Thai workers working for the UEM builders Sdn. Bhd., a contractor for the Penang Second Bridge. The two were warmly received by Mr. Ramil, Project Manager, and Mr. Azmi Omar, Personnel Manager.
The construction project of the Penang Second Bridge was launched under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. It is viewed as a key catalyst in the socio-economic development of Malaysia’s Northern Corridor Economic Region. When complete, it will connect Batu Kawan mainland with Penang Island’s Batu Maung. The total length of the bridge is 24 kilometers, making it the longest bridge of Malaysia and South East Asia region. The construction is expected to be completed in November 2013 with total construction period of 4 years and overall cost of constriction of 40 billion baht.
The construction work of the bridge consists of two main parts. The UEM Builders Sdn. Bhd is responsible for building components and casting of the segmental box girdle. Other contractors take charge of the construction work of the bridge’s foundation. The UEM group has been involved in several Malaysia’s mega-constriction projects including the North-South Expressway, Kuala Lumpur Light Rail Transit, and the Second Bridge to Singapore.
Mr. Ramil, Project Manager and site engineer, said there are 79 Thai workers working at the project and he still wants to hire 13 more riggers, who have experience in bridge-rigging. Workers receive a salary of 30,000 baht per month with arranged accommodation and food. They are satisfied with their payment, work and living conditions.
