Federal Scrutiny on Unlawful Workforce in the Construction Sector: Financial Aspects

The Financial Control of Under-the-Table Work (FKS) of the Customs conducted a nationwide inspection on under-the-table work and illegal employment in the construction industry on June 16, 2025. The inspections were carried out by 58 personnel from the Main Customs Office of Brunswick, located in Göttingen, Hildesheim, and Brunswick.

The purpose of the inspections was to ensure that employers have properly registered their employees for social security, foreign workers have the necessary work permits or residence titles, and minimum wages are being 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, five criminal and five administrative proceedings for illegal residence have been initiated. A total of 40 cases require further investigation by the FKS.

The construction industry, particularly the roofing, electrical, and scaffolding trades, is subject to branch-specific minimum wages, which differ from the general statutory minimum wage of 12.82 euros gross per hour.

Follow-up investigations are extensive, as the data collected from employees must be reconciled with the companies' pay and financial records, and further business records must be examined. The Main Customs Office of Brunswick can be contacted for further inquiries at the following contact details:

Telephone: 0531/1291-8506
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.zoll.de
Deputy Press Spokesperson Nadine Battmer

The Customs Office places a significant emphasis on the construction industry in its efforts to combat under-the-table work, conducting regular inspections to detect and penalize manipulations, circumventions, and violations.

For more information, it is advisable to consult the latest news or official press releases from the relevant authorities.

Federal Scrutiny on Unlawful Workforce in the Construction Sector: Financial Aspects