Two directors of the former textiles factory Leisure Clothing were on Friday jailed for six years each after they were found them guilty of human trafficking by a Court of Appeal.

Leisure Clothing’s managing director Han Bin and marketing director Jia Liu, both Chinese nationals, were given six-year jail terms.

Vietnamese and Chinese workers employed at  the Bulebel-based factory were paid meagre wages while working long days with few to no breaks.

A string of Vietnamese employees had testified to how they would receive €200-€300 monthly – half the amount they had been promised, and well below the minimum wage – for working 12 hours a day, seven days a week and had their passports confiscated by the company upon their arrival.

Leisure Clothing was a major textile manufacturer in Malta, sewing garments for high-end labels such as Emporio Armani and Karen Millen. It was shut down in 2017 when the directors were arrested.

A magistrate’s court had originally found Bin Han guilty and acquitted Jia Liu. Bin Han had been given a suspended sentence.

The Attorney General had appealed the ruling.

On Friday, a court of criminal appeal presided over by Edwina Grima ruled that the two company directors were guilty and sentenced them each to six years in prison.

The two men must also split the costs of the case, the court ruled. A €200,000 fine against Leisure Clothing was upheld.