Minimum Wage Crackdown: Customs Agency Launches Over 800 Probes During Nationwide Sweep
- Customs Conducts Over 800 Investigations Following Nationwide Searches
Here's the lowdown:
Customs officials are on a roll, launching more than 800 investigations following a nationwide sweep. An astounding 3,000 customs agents were part of the inspections, questioning a whopping 6,500 employees about their work arrangements. Over 700 business records were scrutinized during these inspections, with a focus on compliance with the minimum wage regime.
On the spot, around 340 criminal probes were initiated, including over 45 instances of unpaid social security contributions and around 150 cases of residence without proper permits. Another 460 administrative offense proceedings were launched. Suspicions of Minimum Wage Act violations were raised in more than 90 cases.
Additional 1,800 suspected cases identified
According to a spokesperson, initial evaluations have uncovered another 1,800 suspected cases, with around 600 potentially involving Minimum Wage Act violations. These cases will be further investigated by the Customs Control Unit for Undeclared Work, Schwarzarbeit.
The Customs agency zeroed in on high-risk sectors, primarily the catering and accommodation industry, targeting snack bars and cafes, as well as amusement arcades, massage parlors, solariums, car repair shops, and car washes.
As of January 1, 2025, the general minimum wage stands at 12.82 euros gross per hour, with every worker entitled to this, the authority clarified. Agreements below this threshold are null and void, and punishable if discovered. Besides the general minimum wage, there are sector-specific minimum wages in areas like care, cleaning, and several trades such as roofing, electrical, painting, and varnishing.
- Crackdown
- Catering and Accommodation
- Criminal Probes
- Customs
- Snack Bars and Cafes
- Undeclared Work
- Minimum Wage
- Inspections
- Employers
- Bonn
- Administrative Offenses
- Customs officials are launching criminal probes as part of the nationwide minimum wage crackdown, with a focus on the catering and accommodation industry. This leads to on-the-spot investigations, such as inspections of snack bars and cafes, and a scrutinization of business records.
- The uncovered cases of Minimum Wage Act violations, especially in the catering and accommodation sector, are concerning and require further investigation. The Customs Control Unit for Undeclared Work, Schwarzarbeit, will continue to inspect employers to ensure compliance with minimum wage policy.
- With additional suspected cases identified, totaling over 3,000 investigations, it is clear that this nationwide sweep is Piercing deep into high-risk sectors to scrutinize employers who may be exploiting workers in violation of the Minimum Wage Act. This important effort aims to ensure wages are being paid appropriately and that employers are abiding by the law, with penalties for violations as the authority clarified in Bonn.
