Customs authorities in Switzerland halt illicit work practices at glass fiber manufacturing facilities
The Main Customs Office Schweinfurt has launched an investigation into the illegal employment of nine Nepalese nationals at fiber optic construction sites in the Kitzingen area.
Enforcement officers found that nine out of 17 construction workers did not have the necessary residence permit required for working in Germany. Instead, the nine workers could only present a national Portuguese residence permit, which only allows for short-term tourist stays, not for employment.
The customs investigations are ongoing, and proceedings have been initiated against each of the nine persons for suspected illegal residence. The employer of these workers has not yet been named or charged in relation to the ongoing investigations.
The Main Customs Office Schweinfurt focuses its efforts on the construction industry in combating black work, where violations are frequently detected in various forms of manipulation and commission. The employer not only employed the workers illegally but also committed significant violations in paying his employees. Proceedings have also been initiated against the employer for suspected offenses including aiding and abetting illegal residence, smuggling foreign workers, withholding and misappropriation of wages, and underpayment of the minimum wage.
The construction workers were paid an hourly wage of about 6.00 euros instead of the prescribed minimum wage of 12.82 euros. The customs office carries out inspections of persons and business records as part of its investigations, but has not yet released further information about the ongoing investigations.
Press inquiries can be directed to the Main Customs Office Schweinfurt Press Office. Contact information for the Press Office is: Benedikt Danz, Tel.: 09721/6464-1030, Email: [email protected], www.zoll.de.
The responsible immigration authority will decide on further residence-related measures for the nine Nepalese. The Main Customs Office Schweinfurt is the source of this information, transmitted via news aktuell.
