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Illegal work in construction: 297 checks and powerful escape attempts!
Customs controls in Wittenberg and the surrounding area uncover undeclared work: 15 criminal proceedings and 14 administrative offenses have been initiated.
Illegal work in construction: 297 checks and powerful escape attempts!
A large-scale inspection to combat undeclared work took place in Saxony-Anhalt on June 23, 2025. Customs inspected a total of 18 construction sites in several cities, including Dessau-Roßlau, Wittenberg, Halle and Merseburg. During these checks, numerous violations were identified, which led to the initiation of 15 criminal and 14 administrative offense proceedings. Behind these controls was a nationwide focus audit in the construction industry that began on June 16th. 81 emergency services from the Financial Control of Undeclared Work (FKS) were active throughout the state. star reports that many of the 297 employees surveyed were unable to demonstrate their legal status in Germany and were working without the required residence permit.
The challenges could not be underestimated. During the checks, several workers tried to escape the officers by hiding - some even in the basement of a construction site in Merseburg. However, all of these escape attempts were successfully thwarted. Part of these checks aims to combat illegal employment and labor exploitation in the construction sector. As the Press portal shows, 34 cases are already scheduled for further investigation, 9 of which are related to the statutory minimum wage.
Targeted investigations in Saxony-Anhalt
Overall, the controls in the Halle (Saale) and Merseburg regions were classified as particularly problematic, as most escape attempts were observed here. The 29 cases identified often relate to the employment relationship of employees without the necessary residence permit and to the unauthorized performance of work. What is particularly dramatic is the discovery that 22 of the investigations are directly connected to construction projects in Halle and Merseburg.
Combating undeclared work is not just a local matter - it also has nationwide dimensions. In 2024, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance Around 766 million euros were stolen from the state through undeclared work. A total of 25,000 employer audits were carried out, which shows how serious the situation is in many areas of the economy, especially where there are long hours of work.
The government expanded the audit and investigative powers of the FKS in 2019 in order to counteract the high risk of undeclared work. The review of reporting obligations under social security law, the control of social benefits and compliance with working conditions are just some of the aspects that are brought into focus. With a minimum wage of 12.82 euros gross per hour, which has been in effect since January 1, 2025, there are also clear guidelines that employers must adhere to.
This case from Saxony-Anhalt once again shows that efforts to combat undeclared work are of central importance in order to ensure fair working conditions and the protection of employee rights. It remains to be seen how the subsequent investigations will turn out and what further measures will be necessary to combat this widespread problem.