Focus on Unlawful Workers in the Construction Sector under Federal Scrutiny - monetary supervision
Customs Launch Wide-Scale Inspection into Illegal Employment in Construction Industry
In a significant move to combat illegal employment and associated offenses, the Financial Control of Under-the-Table Work (FKS) of the Braunschweig customs authority initiated a nationwide focus inspection in the construction industry on June 16, 2025.
The inspections, led by the Main Customs Office of Brunswick, were carried out in the locations of GΓΆttingen, Hildesheim, and Brunswick. The purpose of these inspections was to ensure proper registration of employees for social security, prevent fraudulent social benefits, verify work permits and residence titles of foreigners, and ensure minimum wages are paid.
During the inspections, suspicions of illegal residence, under-the-table work, sham self-employment, benefit fraud, and minimum wage violations were raised. As a result, a total of 40 cases require further investigation by the FKS.
The customs placed a particular emphasis on combating under-the-table work in the construction industry, especially in the roofing, electrical, and scaffolding trades where sector-specific minimum wages apply. In all other construction sectors, the general statutory minimum wage of 12.82 euros gross per hour applies.
Customs conduct regular inspections to detect and penalize manipulations, circumventions, and other violations in the construction industry. The inspections involved questioning individuals and initial checks of business records on-site. Subsequent investigations are extensive, as the data collected from employees must be reconciled with the companies' payroll and financial records, and further business records must be checked.
For further inquiries, contact the Main Customs Office of Brunswick's Deputy Press Spokesperson Nadine Battmer at 0531/1291-8506 or via email at [email protected]. The customs authority has emphasized its commitment to maintaining fair and legal employment practices within the construction industry.
