Germany's Nationwide Hotel, Catering Raids Yield 1,100 Proceedings
German customs authority carried out nationwide inspections in the hotel and catering industry on September 19, 2025. The operation, led by Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, targeted illegal employment practices and compliance with minimum wage laws. It resulted in over 1,100 proceedings initiated.
The inspections, involving around 2,600 customs employees, focused on nearly 5,200 employees and over 430 business records. Preliminary findings indicate potential violations in around 2,200 cases, including over 400 cases of withheld social security contributions, around 450 cases of employing foreigners illegally, and nearly 600 cases of minimum wage non-compliance.
The operation, part of the customs authority's regular risk-oriented inspections, targeted sectors particularly affected by black market activities. It resulted in around 370 criminal and nearly 800 administrative offense proceedings initiated on-site. In Braunschweig alone, 14 establishments were checked, with two temporarily closed. Similar operations took place in Duisburg, Heilbronn, Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf, Gießen, Thüringen, and Südwestsachsen, among others.
The inspections, deemed crucial for enforcing the rule of law and protecting citizens from exploitation, revealed significant financial damage to the state and social security funds due to illegal employment. Customs' comprehensive inspection procedures contribute significantly to securing social systems and state revenues.
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