Blackwork work in the focus: Controls in Saxony-Anhalt show alarming numbers

Blackwork work in the focus: Controls in Saxony-Anhalt show alarming numbers

On June 16, 2025, a comprehensive nationwide focus test against undeclared work in the construction industry, which was organized by the Magdeburg main customs office, took place in Saxony-Anhalt. In the exam, 81 emergency services of the Financial Control (FKS) were on the road, which checked a total of 18 objects in various cities such as Wittenberge, Dessau-Roßlau, Halle (Saale) and Merseburg. According to Magdeburger News , 297 employees were asked, and two employer exams were carried out.

The results of this initiative are revealing. A total of 15 criminal proceedings and 14 administrative offenses were initiated, with 34 cases of further investigation required. In 9 of these cases, the investigators demonstrated abnormalities in the minimum wage. Almost several times there were attempts to escape from employees who failed in Halle (Saale) and Merseburg. Another shock was that several workers were employed without the necessary residence permit. A total of 29 investigations were initiated for suspected illegal stay and employment, of which 22 cases affected Halle (Saale) and Merseburg.

The role of financial control undeclared work

Financial control undeclared work is an important unity of German customs with the aim of fighting undeclared work and illegal employment. As wikipedia , the FKS has the task of checking compliance with provisions of social security law. The control of social benefits according to the SGB II and SGB III as well as compliance with working conditions according to the Minimum wage law (Milog) fall within their area of ​​responsibility.

The personnel requirements of the FKS are currently estimated to be around 9,000 workers, with a planned increase to up to 11,500 to 2029, which shows how seriously the authorities take the fight for undeclared work. The extension of the tasks that accompanied the Black Working Act (SchwarzarbG) in 2019 gives the FKS extended examination and investigation powers to take effect more effectively against employers who do not meet their obligations.

consequences and punishments

The consequences for violations of the law are considerable. In 2024, the damage by undeclared work added up to around 766 million euros. Almost 97,000 investigations were initiated, which makes the dimension of the problem clear. Courts imposed a total of 1,277 years of imprisonment for undeclared work, such as The FKS also comes together with various authorities in these controls to close the situation gaps and to receive the necessary data for tracking. Particular attention is paid to the illegal employment of non-EU citizens, which, according to the legal provisions, can be punished with sensitive punishments for employers.