Four members of the UK’s wealthiest family, the Hindujas, are on trial in Switzerland over allegations of human trafficking and exploitation of domestic workers. The family, estimated to be worth £37 billion ($47 billion), is accused of mistreating their staff in their lavish Geneva villa, while allegedly spending more on their dog than on the care of their servants.
Prakash and Kamal Hinduja, alongside their son Ajay and his wife Namrata, are alleged to have brought servants from India under exploitative conditions to manage their household and care for their children. Prosecutors claim the family confiscated the servants’ passports, paid them as little as $8 (£7) for 18-hour workdays, and severely restricted their freedom.
Despite reaching a financial settlement for the alleged exploitation last week, the trial continues as the charges of human trafficking remain unresolved, which carry serious criminal implications under Swiss law. The Hinduja family has consistently denied these charges.
In court, prominent Geneva prosecutor Yves Bertossa highlighted the stark contrast between the nearly $10,000 reportedly spent annually on the family’s dog and the minimal amounts paid to the servants. Bertossa is seeking prison sentences and millions of dollars in compensation and legal fees from the Hinduja family.
The defense has not specifically refuted the low wage claims but emphasized that the servants were provided with accommodation and meals. They also contested the allegations of long working hours, arguing that activities such as watching films with the Hinduja children should not be considered labor.
While some former staff members have testified favorably about their experiences with the Hinduja family, others have recounted severe restrictions on their freedom, including the confiscation of passports and limited permission to leave the house, conditions that could meet the definition of human trafficking.
Geneva, known for its international diplomacy and affluent residents, has faced similar controversies in the past regarding the mistreatment of domestic workers. In 2008, Hannibal Gaddafi, son of Libya’s former leader, was arrested in Geneva for allegedly abusing his servants, a case that was eventually dropped but led to a diplomatic conflict between Switzerland and Libya.
More recently, in 2023, domestic workers from the Philippines sued a Geneva diplomatic mission for unpaid wages, drawing further attention to the issue. The ongoing Hinduja trial is likely to spotlight once more the hidden abuses in a city renowned as “the city of peace.”
The outcome of this high-profile case will be closely watched as it addresses the broader issues of worker exploitation and human rights within one of the world’s wealthiest families.
