Customs controls on motorways: Minimum wage and social fraud in focus!

Customs controls on motorways: Minimum wage and social fraud in focus!

On November 12, 2024, Cologne customs carried out massive control in the freight forwarding, transport and logistics industry. A total of 170 people from around 80 emergency services from the main customs office of Cologne were checked on the A1, A3, A4, A4 and Bundesstraße 496. The police and the Federal Network Agency were also involved in this large -scale measure, which aimed at compliance with laws and regulations.

The checks showed alarming results: 40 people were checked on the A1, on the A3 there were 77, only 12 on the A4 and on the federal road 496 41 people. Maja Ley, press spokeswoman for the main customs office in Cologne, said that the main goal of the controls was to ensure the minimum wage and the detection of illegal employment. The balance sheet of the measures already shows suspicions on site: In three cases, the suspicion was expressed that the employees are not paid the minimum wage, while in three other cases there were indications of the abuse of social benefits.

Results of the controls

The control also covered an illegal stay in one case and found in two cases that required ID documents were not carried. Suspect moments regarding violations in the context of the temporary employment were registered with four people, while in two further cases there was suspicion that the necessary work permit was missing. These measures underline the strict regulations that apply in the industry.

Important to know: Anyone who works in certain economic sectors is obliged to carry a valid ID card during the work and to present them at the request of the customs authorities. Further information can be found on www.zoll.de.

Source: Main College Cologne - Maja Ley (ots)

16.11.2024