Hinduja Family, UK’s richest, facing charges for human trafficking, paying domestic staff less than spending on dog in Switzerland

Four members of the Hinduja family, the wealthiest in the UK, are facing serious allegations in Switzerland. They are accused of human trafficking and mistreating their domestic staff. The case reveals a stark contrast between their treatment of staff and their pet dog expenses. The billionaire Hinduja family allocated more money to their pet dog than to one of their servants, according to a Swiss prosecutor. During a trial concerning alleged trafficking and exploitation of Indian staff at their Lake Geneva villa, the prosecutor called for prison sentences of up to five and a half years.

Charges and Allegations Against Hinduja Family

The Hinduja family is accused of paying their domestic staff extremely low wages, enforcing long working hours, and confiscating their passports. These actions have led to charges of human trafficking. Prosecutor Yves Bertossa highlighted the disparity, pointing out that one staff member was paid only seven Swiss francs (approximately £6.19) for an 18-hour workday, while 8,584 francs (£7,616) were spent annually on their pet dog.
“One staff member was paid just seven Swiss francs for an 18-hour workday, while 8,584 francs were spent annually on their pet dog,” said Prosecutor Yves Bertossa.

The Hinduja family’s lawyers argued that the wages should be viewed in the context of the provided accommodation and meals. They disputed the claims of long working hours, stating that activities like watching a film with the children should not be classified as work.

Some former servants have testified in favor of the Hinduja family, describing them as friendly and dignified employers. Despite these positive testimonies, the allegations regarding passport confiscation and restricted freedom of movement remain severe and suggest potential human trafficking.

“Some former servants have testified in support of the Hinduja family, describing them as friendly and dignified employers,” noted in defense of the family.Although the family and their staff reached a settlement last week, resulting in the three plaintiffs dropping their civil case against the Hindujas, the criminal trial is still proceeding this week. Unlike the jury system common in the US or UK, a panel of three judges will deliver the verdict, Bloomberg reported.This trial highlights a broader issue of mistreatment of domestic workers in Geneva, a city known for its international organizations and wealthy residents. Previous cases, such as the arrest of Hannibal Gaddafi in 2008 and a recent incident involving domestic workers from the Philippines, have similarly brought attention to this problem.