Customs Raid Finds Wage, Social Security and Immigration Abuses in Hotel Industry
The Main Customs Office Bielefeld, with FKS locations in Bielefeld, Hamm, Herford, and Paderborn, recently conducted a nationwide focus inspection. The aim was to ensure compliance with the legal minimum wage, social security obligations, and to uncover improper receipt of social benefits and illegal employment.
On Friday, September 19, 2025, the Financial Control of Illegal Work (FKS) carried out random inspections in the hotel and catering industry. A total of 63 customs officers were involved, questioning 250 employees about their employment conditions.
The inspections revealed irregularities in 96 cases. This included 79 cases of minimum wage violations, seven cases of suspected social security contribution evasion, and three cases of illegal employment of foreigners. Twelve administrative offense proceedings and four criminal proceedings were initiated on-site. Specific hotels in the hotel and restaurant industry were inspected, although the names were not disclosed in public information. The announcement only referenced numerous violations in the Borken district's gastronomy sector.
The inspections, which began in January 2025 with the new general minimum wage of 12.82 euros per hour, will continue with customs officers comparing employee data with hotel wage and financial records. The Customs Authority emphasizes its commitment to combating illegal work in the hotel and catering industry, which is subject to the Minimum Wage Act (MiLoG).
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