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UK’s richest family handed prison terms for exploiting staff in Swiss mansion
21 June 2024
Modern slavery
Switzerland
Ongoing
Swiss prosecutor
Social
Hinduja family
Key Facts:
In June 2024, a Swiss court found four members of the Hinduja family guilty of exploiting employees in Switzerland. The Hindujas, who were not present in court, were acquitted of human trafficking but convicted of charges relating to the exploitation of their employees.
Prakash Hinduja and his wife, Kamal, were each sentenced to four years and six months in prison, and their son Ajay and his wife, Namrata, received four-year terms. A fifth defendant — Najib Ziazi, the family’s business manager — received an 18-month suspended sentence.
The case stemmed from the family’s practice of bringing employees over from India. The Swiss prosecutor alleged that the family confiscated the passports of their employees on arrival in Switzerland, paid them salaries considered to be far lower than Swiss salaries, and restricted their ability to leave the property.
The family are said to be appealing the decision.
