Customs checks in Steinfurt county reveal widespread instances of black labor and illegal employment across food businesses

In a surprising revelation, the Main Customs Office Münster has uncovered several instances of undeclared work and illegal employment in the Steinfurt district. On Sunday, May 25, 2025, the Financial Control Schwarzarbeit of the Main Customs Office Münster carried out inspections in the area.

A total of five employees without a residence permit were found in three catering establishments. One of these employees had reportedly been in Germany for many years. The undeclared work in the four companies is suspected to have been ongoing for several years, providing financial advantages to these businesses over honest catering businesses.

Six out of seven inspected catering establishments had partial serious violations. Verena John, press spokesperson at the Main Customs Office Münster, expressed her surprise at the extent of undeclared work and illegal employment discovered during the inspections.

The customs office has initiated criminal proceedings against the five employees and two employers for illegal residence or aiding and abetting it. There is suspicion that the employee without an ID is committing social welfare fraud by receiving benefits alongside their professional activity.

Furthermore, an employee was found without an ID in one of the catering establishments, violating the identification requirement in the catering industry. The employee without a residence permit presented a forged ID document.

The news content was transmitted via news aktuell from the Main Customs Office Münster. For further questions, contact Verena John at 0251/4814-1306, or email [email protected]. You can also visit their website at www.zoll.de.

The money missing from the social security funds due to undeclared work is a concern. The customs office will conduct further investigations in the coming weeks to address this issue.

It is important to note that only authorities authorized to grant work and residence permits can allow people without a residence permit to be employed. Employing individuals without residence permits is generally not permitted under German labor and residence law, including in the hospitality sector.

Undeclared work not only violates labor and residence laws but also undermines fair competition and deprives the state of much-needed revenue. The Main Customs Office Münster urges businesses to comply with the law and encourages anyone with information about undeclared work to come forward.