Financing authority HZA-MS is scrutinizing the financial management of black workforce in logistics, inspecting service providers and truck drivers across Münsterland region.
Münster Customs Office Tackles Black Work and Illegal Employment in Freight Forwarding Sector
The Financial Control Black Work (FKS) of the Main Customs Office Münster recently conducted a targeted action against black work and illegal employment in the freight forwarding, transport, and logistics sectors. The action, which involved customs officers, employees of the German Pension Insurance, and officials of the BALM (Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility), aimed to ensure fair working conditions and competitive conditions, as well as secure social systems and state revenues.
During the inspections, a total of 116 employees were questioned and inspected regarding their employment and personal data. The inspections were particularly focused on compliance with the statutory minimum wage according to the Minimum Wage Act, which is 12.41 euros per hour since January 1, 2024, in this sector.
In the course of the action, there were indications of violations against the minimum wage in seven cases. Furthermore, there are indications that foreign workers were employed without a work permit in another four cases. In ten cases, it is being investigated whether social security contributions were withheld.
The head responsible for cooperation with the Financial Control of Illegal Employment (Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit) at the Hauptzollamt Münster, who carried out the action, is Goswin Brehe, the head of the Finanzkontrolle Schwarzarbeit unit based in Gronau under the Hauptzollamt Münster.
The inspections are risk-oriented, with customs employees conducting both random and full inspections of all employees of an employer. In black work-affected sectors, FKS conducts nationwide and regional targeted inspections throughout the year with increased personnel.
The action also checked compliance with social security obligations, the improper receipt of benefits, and the illegal employment of foreigners. In 22 cases, FKS will continue investigations to determine if there has been benefit fraud.
Customs inspections significantly contribute to securing social systems and state revenues. They are carried out in collaboration with the German Pension Insurance and the BALM (Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility).
For any inquiries, the Main Customs Office Münster can be contacted at Nicole Thomsen, telephone: 0251 / 4814 - 1309, email: [email protected], and website: www.zoll.de. The inspections are aimed at ensuring a competitive and fair working environment for all employees in the freight forwarding, transport, and logistics sectors.
