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Britain’s richest family has been accused of egregious mistreatment of domestic staff at their Lake Geneva villa.
Prosecutor Yves Bertossa told a Swiss court the billionaire Hinduja family spent more on their pet dog than on one of their servants, who earned as little as £6.20 for gruelling 18-hour workdays, seven days a week.
He cited a budget document titled “pets” that showed the family allocated 8,584 Swiss francs (£7,641) annually for their pet dog.
Mr Bertossa also noted the absence of specified working hours or days off in the staff contracts, arguing that the employees were essentially at the family’s beck and call, with confiscated passports limiting their freedom.
In defence, the Hinduja family’s lawyers said the staff were treated respectfully and had accommodation provided.
“The salary can’t simply be reduced to what they were paid in cash” as food and lodging were covered, said Yael Hayat, a lawyer for family scion Ajay Hinduja….
