European restaurant network accused of exploiting 70 Indian workers

An international investigation has uncovered a network that allegedly exploited more than 70 Indian workers through three restaurant chains across Europe. The scheme reportedly generated approximately 4 million euros in illicit profits.

Authorities suspect the network abused a former regulation that allowed specialized Asian chefs to obtain work and residence permits more easily. Once in Europe, many workers were not employed as chefs but were instead forced to work as dishwashers, cleaners, or servers. Investigations by the Netherlands Labour Authority revealed that employees worked between 60 and 80 hours per week, often six or seven days a week, without overtime compensation.

A coordinated crackdown involving Europol and law enforcement from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland resulted in the inspection of 20 restaurants and the arrest of two individuals. The investigation indicates that workers were subjected to physical and financial intimidation, including fines for attempting to leave and threats against their families in India to prevent them from filing complaints.