Customs takes action: 15 proceedings against undeclared work in Saxony-Anhalt!

Customs takes action: 15 proceedings against undeclared work in Saxony-Anhalt!

The audits on undeclared work in Germany are gaining momentum: On June 16, 2025, the Financial Control for Undeclared Work (FKS) of the Magdeburg Main Customs Office carried out a comprehensive inspection in the construction industry. As part of a nationwide priority program, 18 construction sites in Saxony-Anhalt were examined, with 81 emergency services on site. Not only the operational conditions were looked at closely, but also the working conditions of the 297 employees surveyed.

The results are sobering: a total of 15 criminal proceedings and 14 administrative offense proceedings were initiated. Of particular concern is the fact that 34 cases require further investigation, nine of which are related to the statutory minimum wage. Patchwork politics seems to be the order of the day here in construction, with people looking for work hiding to escape controls. But all attempts to escape, sometimes even in cellars, were thwarted by the customs authorities.

Investigations with far-reaching consequences

The customs actions are part of a larger strategy to combat undeclared work and illegal employment, as Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil announced on June 18, 2025. National priorities are set to strengthen the guarantee of occupational health and safety laws. Over 8,000 employees across Germany were surveyed and 300 criminal proceedings and more than 400 administrative offenses have already been initiated. A large proportion of the proceedings, more than 200, relate to suspicion of staying without a valid title.

• 22 dieser Verfahren wurden in Halle (Saale) und Merseburg festgestellt, wo auch die meisten Verstöße dokumentiert wurden.
• Nachermittlungen werden eingeleitet, um die erhobenen Daten mit den Lohn- und Finanzunterlagen der Unternehmen abzugleichen.
• Die Zusammenarbeit erfolgt eng mit anderen Behörden und der Rentenversicherung, um die Ausmaße der illegalen Beschäftigung genau zu erfassen.

The checks also show that many employees do not have the required residence permits. This is not only a legal but also a social problem that requires deeper insights into the structure of employment. The customs officials do not act alone, but in conjunction with other authorities to find effective solutions to master this challenge.

The measures are clear: Customs and financial control want to send a strong signal to undeclared workers. With every inspection it becomes clear that tolerance towards undeclared work and illegal practices is reduced. Based on the current status, which already shows that there are over 1,800 indications of possible violations, the intensive examination will continue. The fight against undeclared work is and remains one of the central challenges that must be overcome in order to create fair working conditions.

Further information and details can be found on the Dubisthalle, press portal and customs pages.