Suche
Mein Konto
Customs controls metal factory: 12 arrests for illegal work!
Customs checks employers in Butzbach: 12 people arrested without work permits, first indications of minimum wage violations.
Customs controls metal factory: 12 arrests for illegal work!
A large-scale operation by the Gießen main customs office recently caused a stir in the Wetterau district. On October 24, 2025, 85 customs officers inspected a metal processing company to check the working and employment conditions of the employees working there. Not only the type of employment, but also the statutory wages were examined. These checks are part of a regularly carried out program aimed at detecting possible violations of the minimum wage law and illegal employment relationships, such as [Haufe].
A total of 52 people were interviewed and their wage and financial records were compared. The first indications of irregularities did not take long to appear, particularly with regard to compliance with minimum wage requirements. Such violations can have serious consequences: If confirmed, there is a risk of legal action by customs. In the current case, 12 Eastern European men between the ages of 18 and 50 were arrested because they lacked the necessary work and residence documents. Criminal proceedings have already been initiated against these people, while the decision on their further stay rests with the immigration authorities.
Background on combating undeclared work
The current incident is not isolated. According to the Federal Finance Ministry, around 766 million euros were lost through undeclared work in 2024. Approximately 25,000 employer audits were carried out, resulting in the initiation of almost 97,000 investigations. Combating undeclared work is a central concern of the main customs office, which has been able to expand its audit and investigative powers with the help of the Act to Combat Illegal Employment (SchwarzArbG). Particular attention is paid to compliance with social security reporting requirements and compliance with the minimum wage.
Employers are obliged to comply with all regulations and correctly pay social security contributions and payroll taxes. Nevertheless, there are always cases in which foreign workers are employed without the residence permits required for their employment. The latest controls show that customs authorities must also take action against organized forms of undeclared work, which often operate across borders.
Business and society have a great need for a fair and regulated working environment. The customs officers advocate for justice and help ensure that employees are not forced into exploitative working relationships. This is not only a question of law, but also one of social responsibility. The minimum wage, which will be raised to 12.82 euros gross per hour from January 1, 2025, is a step in the right direction to improve the conditions of many workers in Germany.