The Bangladesh Consulate in Dubai learnt of the death of two Bangladeshi workers in Sharjah city of the United Arab Emirates after The Daily Star informed it on Friday, although the incident had been published on a local newspaper after it occurred on Wednesday.

The victims were identified as Jashim Uddin, 40, of Mehendiganj in Barisal and Siddique Rahman Polash of Louhajong in Munshiganj, confirmed AKM Mizanur Rahman, first secretary (labour) at the consulate.

They died on the spot after a temporary lift at an under-construction building crashed to the ground from the ninth floor, he told The Daily Star over phone yesterday.

“The workers were working illegally with the company AI Rehab AI Arabi Building Contracting LLC, an Ajman-based construction company,” Mizan said.

The police arrested management officials of the company for employing the Bangladeshis illegally, he added.

Polash's family spoke to him just the day before he died.

“The day before my father died, he told me that he would stay in Dubai for the coming winter and then come home. But, I cannot believe he passed away before that,” Fatema Akhter, Polash's daughter, told The Daily Star yesterday.

Fatema said her father had been working in the UAE for the last eight years and had not once come home.

Fatema is studying at Dhaka Mohanagar Mohila College, while her ten-year-old brother is a class V student at a local primary school.

Their mother, Mahmuda Sultana, is now worried about the future of her two children.

The other victim, Jasim, has two children, said his brother-in-law Shohag. Jasim went to the UAE four years back.  

Mizanur Rahman said they are trying to send home the bodies soon.