Hinduja family appeals Swiss court verdict on domestic worker exploitation

The Hinduja family, prominent business figures, have officially contested a recent Swiss court decision sentencing four family members to up to four and a half years in prison for exploiting Indian domestic workers at their luxurious Geneva villa. The criminal court had acquitted them of the more severe charge of human trafficking. In response, the family has moved to a higher court and issued a statement refuting the court’s sentencing.

Despite the acquittal on human trafficking charges, the court found that the Hinduja family was involved in the harsh treatment of their workers. According to reports, the workers were subjected to long 16-hour workdays without overtime pay and were housed in windowless basement quarters on bunk beds. They were reportedly forbidden from leaving the property, highlighting severe disparities in living conditions when compared to the family’s lifestyle.

The family’s statement emphasized their continued stance of innocence, noting the lack of complainants currently involved in the case. It was mentioned that the complainants had been led into signing statements they did not understand, and they testified that the Hinduja family members treated them with respect and dignity, akin to family. The statement also underscored the invalidity of the lower court’s judgment under Swiss law until a final judgment is enforced, maintaining the presumption of innocence.

Swiss prosecutor Yves Bertossa pointed out the stark contrast in treatment between the family’s pets and their domestic workers. One report highlighted that the Hinduja family spent more on their dog annually than they did on one of their servants, underscoring the alleged inequity.

The Hinduja family’s appeal throws this high-profile case back into the legal spotlight, challenging the initial findings and seeking to overturn the convictions. This case is particularly significant as it touches on issues of labor rights and the treatment of domestic workers within private households, reflecting broader social and ethical considerations.