Hinduja, UK's Richest Family On Trial In Swiss Court For Alleged Human Trafficking (Ximage@OVG369)
Hinduja family, the wealthiest in UK are facing serious allegation in the Swiss court. Four members of the family are accused of human trafficking and mistreating their staff. It is alleged that the family spent far more on their pet dog than treatment of their servants.
Ajay Hinduja, his wife Namrata and parents Prakash and Kamal Hinduja were all indicted last year by Geneva prosecutors for allegedly making their staff work longer hours without a day off at their villa overlooking Lake Geneva.
As per the prosecutor, the Hinduja family allocated more money to their pet dog than one of their workers. During the trial of the alleged human trafficking and exploitation of the Indian staff at their Lake Geneva villa, the prosecutor sought a prison sentences of up to five and half a year.
The family is accused of paying extremely lower wages to their domestic staff, forcing longer working hours, and confiscating their passport, all of which led to the charges of human trafficking.
Read also: Drug Made From Human Bones; Sierre Leone Declares National Emergency
Yves Bertossa, the prosecutor highlighted that one staff member was only paid seven Swiss francs (approximately £6.19) for an 18-hour workday, while 8,584 francs (£7,616) were spent annually on their pet dog.
Reportedly, the staffs were paid in Indian currency, leaving them struggling for money in Switzerland. The Prosecutor claimed that the contracts for staff did not specify the exact working hours or days off but asked them to be available as needed by the family. This lack of clarity has led to the alleged exploitation, as claimed by the prosecutor.
The family’s lawyers argued that the wages should be looked at in the context of the provided accommodation and meals. They also denied the allegations of long working hours by stating that activities like watching film with the children should not be classified as work.
Despite the positive testimony from some of the staff members by calling the family as friendly and dignified employers, the allegations regarding passport confiscation and restricted freedom of movement remain a severe issue and suggested a potential human trafficking.
The criminal trail is still proceeding this week, even though the Hindujas reached a settlement with their staff, which led three plaintiff to drop the civil case against the family.
Read also: US Journalist Evan Gershkovich To Stand Trial In Russia On Espionage Charges
Unlike the jury system common in the US or UK, a panel of three judges will deliver the verdict, said Bloomberg.
Reportedly, the prosecutors are asking for the imprisonment of the said family members and pay 1 million Swiss francs for the court costs. A 3.5 million francs compensation was also asked to provide for the staff affected.
The case stressed the broader issue of the mistreatment of domestic workers in Geneva, the Peace Capital, known for its international organizations and wealthy residents.
