Hinduja Family Sentenced for Exploiting Domestic Workers Amid Human Trafficking Charges

A Swiss court has sentenced four members of the Hinduja family to prison for exploiting domestic workers at their Geneva villa. While human trafficking charges were dismissed, the family was found guilty of unauthorized employment. The case included accusations of withholding passports and forcing employees to endure grueling hours.

In a landmark case, a Swiss criminal court on Friday sentenced four members of the affluent Hinduja family to prison terms ranging from four to 4 1/2 years for exploiting vulnerable domestic workers. However, more severe charges of human trafficking were dismissed by the court.

The convicted individuals include Prakash Hinduja, an Indian-born magnate, his wife, son, and daughter-in-law. They were accused of mistreating their mostly illiterate Indian staff, employed at their opulent lakeside villa in Geneva. The defendants were notably absent from the courtroom, except for Najib Ziazi, the family's business manager, who received an 18-month suspended sentence.

Prosecutors highlighted deplorable conditions where staffers were forced to work up to 18 hours a day, paid in Indian rupees, and lived in substandard conditions. With forfeited passports, minimal wages, and severe restrictions on movement, employees were subjected to a 'climate of fear'. This case underscores the ongoing challenges in combating exploitation and labor violations in affluent circles.

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