Cracking Down on Unlawful Labor in Construction: Customs Office Schweinfurt Highlights Efforts

The Financial Control of Black Work of the Customs (FKS) recently carried out a nationwide targeted inspection against black work and illegal employment in the construction industry on June 18, 2025. The inspection, which was focused on the construction industry and aimed to combat black work and illegal employment, was conducted by 85 officials from the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt.

Based in the city of Schweinfurt, the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt collaborated with cooperation authorities such as the German Pension Insurance and the Foreigners' Authorities for these investigations. The inspection covered 165 employees on numerous construction sites throughout Lower Franconia and large parts of Upper Franconia, in the regions of Schweinfurt, Würzburg, and Bamberg.

During the inspection, numerous violations were detected. The customs authority was particularly interested in checking whether employers had registered their employees with social security, whether they were receiving social benefits incorrectly, and whether the minimum wages (legal and contractual) were being complied with. The inspection also checked whether foreign employees had a work permit or a valid residence title.

These coordinated inspections are an important tool for reducing the social acceptance of black work and illegal employment. The Customs focuses on the construction industry in its fight against black work due to its economic importance and extensive legal and collective agreement regulations. The Customs' inspections contribute to the detection and punishment of violations related to black work and illegal employment.

The customs authority Schweinfurt is in close consultation with the labor inspection office and the public prosecutor's office to conduct further investigations into violations concerning illegal work and unauthorized employment in the construction industry. The detected irregularities from the nationwide inspection on June 18, 2025, are being further investigated.

For inquiries, please contact the Press Office of the Customs Office Schweinfurt at Benedikt Danz, Tel.: 09721/6464-1030, Email: [email protected], or visit their website at www.zoll.de. These inspections are a significant step towards ensuring fair and legal employment practices in the construction industry and reducing the prevalence of black work and illegal employment.