In the districts of Lörrach, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald and Emmendingen, in the district of Ortenau and in the city of Freiburg, the financial control for undeclared work of the main customs office in Lörrach checked a total of 49 hairdressing salons and barber shops on April 5.
Not only were the business documents in the companies targeted, around 180 employees were also questioned about their working conditions. The measure was part of a nationwide focus test of this industry.
The around fifty employees from the three FKS locations Lörrach, Freiburg and Offenburg, who are responsible for this purpose at the main customs office in Lörrach, focused primarily on compliance with social security obligations, minimum working conditions and employer obligations under the Minimum Wage Act, and on possibly illegal receipt of social benefits such as unemployment benefit I and II and the illegal employment of foreign workers. The general statutory minimum wage, which has been €9.82 per hour since January 1 of this year, also applies to the hairdressing trade.
In around 30 cases, the customs officers found discrepancies, for which further investigations are necessary.
In 18 cases, there were indications that the statutory minimum wage was not being paid out at the correct amount. In what are believed to be four cases, the contributions to the social insurance institutions were not paid or not paid in the correct amount. In the case of two interviewed, allegedly self-employed persons, it could be a case of bogus self-employment. Two foreign workers were found who could not produce a residence or work permit and were therefore handed over to the responsible foreigners authority. Three employees interviewed are still suspected of having made unauthorized use of social benefits in addition to wage payments. All checks are still ongoing.
The financial control of undeclared work in the customs administration carries out both nationwide and regional focused audits with an increased deployment of personnel. The authority expects this to have a preventive effect and reduce social acceptance of undeclared work and illegal employment. Both of these harm the state, the economy and reputable entrepreneurs as well as the tax-paying citizens considerably.
The employees of the financial control undeclared work of the Federal Customs Administration, like the customs officers deployed for border control, carry weapons and regularly take part in operational training and advanced training in shooting. When on duty, they wear uniforms depending on the situation. In addition, as a customs investigative unit, they always work closely with the public prosecutor’s office and other authorities. Covert investigative work, such as surveillance and telephone tapping, is just as much a part of day-to-day business as the questioning of suspects, those affected or witnesses. Extensive IT knowledge is also required to track down and secure electronic business data.
(Press release: Main Customs Office Lörrach, April 12, 2022)
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