FKS Inspections Uncover Wage, Security, and Employment Violations in Hotel and Catering Industry
The Financial Control of Illegal Work of the Customs (FKS) recently conducted inspections in the hotel and catering industry, focusing on compliance with the minimum wage and social security obligations. The inspections, conducted on September 19, also aimed to uncover fraudulent receipt of social benefits and illegal employment.
Since January 1, 2025, the general minimum wage has been set at €12.82 per hour. The FKS inspections, which took place in September 2025, revealed potential violations in several areas. Suspicion of minimum wage payment violations was found in 29 cases, with 30 cases involving suspected ssa withholding. Additionally, 6 cases pointed to foreign employment without work permits, and 17 cases indicated potential benefit fraud.
The Main Customs Office Dortmund played a significant role in these inspections. They deployed 84 FKS employees who interviewed 252 people and conducted 24 business record inspections. The hotel and catering industry, being one of the largest and most employment-intensive sectors, is subject to the regulations of the Minimum Wage Act (MiLoG).
The FKS inspections highlight the importance of compliance with minimum wage and social security obligations in the hotel and catering industry. The findings will be investigated further, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the results.
