Customs Crackdown on Illegal Employment in Hotel and Restaurant Industry
Customs officers in the Steinburg and Schleswig-Flensburg districts have been actively inspecting the hotel and restaurant industry to combat illegal employment and ensure fair working conditions. Between November 2024 and September 2025, eight businesses were visited, with 64 employees interviewed and 15 cases requiring further investigation.
The inspections, conducted by the Main Customs Office Itzehoe, focused on compliance with the minimum wage and social security obligations. Since November 2024, the collectively agreed minimum wage in the industry has been 14.97 euros per hour, while the general minimum wage increased to 12.82 euros per hour from January 1, 2025. Officers also looked into unauthorized receipt of social security benefits and illegal employment.
The inspections were risk-oriented, combining spot checks and full inspections, with increased personnel in particularly affected sectors. Extensive follow-up inspections were conducted to compare employee data with wage and financial accounting and check further business records.
A total of 15 findings were made during the inspections, indicating potential irregularities that require further investigation. The hotel and catering industry remains a major focus in the fight against black work due to its size and employment intensity. Customs continues to work diligently to secure social security systems and state revenues through these inspections, ensuring fair employment and competitive conditions.
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