Four members of Britain’s richest family, the Hindujas, have been sentenced by a Swiss court for exploiting their Indian staff at their Geneva mansion.
While acquitted of human trafficking charges, they were found guilty on other counts, including mistreatment and underpayment of their employees.
The case dates back to allegations made by three Indian staff members who claimed they were brought to Switzerland from India and subjected to poor working conditions, confiscation of their passports, and meager salaries.
Prosecutors argued that the family paid their staff a pittance, gave them little freedom to leave the house, and took advantage of their vulnerable situation.
Prakash Hinduja and his wife Kamal Hinduja received four years and six months in prison, while their son Ajay and his wife Namrata were sentenced to four years.
The court found the family guilty of exploiting their staff, paying them salaries between 220 and 400 francs ($250-450) per month, far below the Swiss average.
The Hinduja family’s defense lawyers argued that the staff received ample benefits, were not kept in isolation, and were free to leave the villa.
They claimed that the employees were grateful for the better life offered by the Hindujas and that the trial was a case of “justice, not social justice.”
Geneva prosecutor Yves Bertossa had requested a custodial sentence of five and a half years against Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, citing the gravity of the charges.
The prosecution argued that the family abused their power to save money, taking advantage of the “asymmetrical situation” between employer and employee.
The Hinduja Group, with interests in oil and gas, banking, and healthcare, employs around 200,000 people in 38 countries.
The family has denied the allegations, claiming the prosecutors wanted to “do in the Hindujas.” Despite reaching a confidential out-of-court settlement with the three employees, the prosecution pursued the case due to its severity.
This verdict marks a significant blow to the Hinduja family’s reputation, highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable employees.
The case serves as a reminder of the need for fair labor practices and the protection of workers’ rights, even in the face of powerful employers.
