The UK’s wealthiest family, the Hindujas, have been sentenced to prison for exploiting their Indian employees at their Geneva villa. A Swiss judge found four family members guilty of illegal employment, a verdict they are now challenging in a higher court.
COURT’S DECISION AND SENTENCES
On Friday, the court labelled the Hindujas “selfish.” Prosecutors accused them of inhuman treatment towards their staff. The employees were brought from India to work as domestic help at the family mansion. Prakash Hinduja and his wife Kamal Hinduja received a four-year and six-month jail term. Their son Ajay and his wife Namrata were each handed four-year sentences. The court, however, acquitted them of a more serious charge of human trafficking.
CHARGES AND ALLEGATIONS
The family faced several serious allegations:
- Seizing workers’ passports.
- Preventing them from leaving the villa.
- Forcing them to work long hours for minimal pay.
The workers, who only spoke Hindi, were paid in rupees to bank accounts in India, which they could not access while in Switzerland. The family’s legal team denied these allegations. They argued that the staff were treated respectfully and provided with proper accommodation. However, the Swiss court upheld the convictions for exploiting the workers’ lack of local language skills and knowledge. Workers reported a “climate of fear.” They were forced to work up to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, without statutory time off or benefits. They received wages far below the Swiss standard.
DETAILS OF THE CASE
The conviction stemmed from a 2018 case. Swiss prosecutors, acting on a tip-off, raided the Hinduja villa, Hinduja Bank offices, and other local businesses owned by the Hinduja Group. Documents and hard drives were seized as evidence. The court found the four family members guilty of:
- Providing unauthorized employment.
- Offering minimal health benefits.
- Paying wages less than one-tenth of the standard rate for such jobs in Switzerland.
Prosecutors highlighted the harsh conditions endured by the workers. They worked with little or no vacation. They worked extended hours for receptions. They often slept in the basement on mattresses. Swiss authorities have confiscated valuable assets, including diamonds, rubies, a platinum necklace, and other jewellery, to cover potential legal fees and penalties.
BACKGROUND OF THE HINDUJA FAMILY
The Hinduja family’s legacy dates back to 1914. Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja founded a commodities-trading business in British India’s Sindh region. The business quickly diversified under his four sons. Initially, they found success by distributing Bollywood films internationally. Srichand, the eldest son, passed away in 2023. His brothers Gopichand, Prakash, and Ashok continue to manage the family’s vast business empire.
With interests in finance, media, and energy, the Hinduja family owns stakes in six publicly traded Indian companies. Forbes estimates their collective wealth at $20 billion. This places them among Asia’s top 20 wealthiest families.
COURT’S DETAILED FINDINGS
The Swiss court’s detailed findings included:
- Unauthorized employment.
- Poor living conditions for workers.
- Violation of Swiss labour laws.
HINDUJA FAMILY’S REACTION
The Hinduja family has denied all allegations. They are appealing the decision in a higher court. They maintain that their staff were treated with respect and provided with adequate living conditions.
LEGAL AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
This case underscores the importance of stringent labour laws and their enforcement, especially concerning domestic workers. It highlights the need for transparency and accountability in employing foreign workers.
GLOBAL REACTION AND IMPACT
The case has sparked a global discussion on labour rights and the treatment of domestic workers, particularly those brought from abroad. The verdict against the Hindujas has drawn significant attention due to their prominent status and wealth.
