Customs control in Mainz: Escape from undeclared work on the construction site
Customs control in Mainz: Escape from undeclared work on the construction site
On Wednesday there was surprising customs controls on a construction site in Mainz, which took an unexpected turn. The customs employees had initially come to a routine examination of their papers, but the situation escalated quickly when several workers fled to the authorities.
The controls took place on a construction project of the city of Mainz, on which more than 20 workers are employed. The main goal of the officials was to check the lawful employment of the workers and ensure that all regulations are observed. First everything went according to plan: the officials worked systematically through the building site and controlled the authorizations of the employees.
violent escape from customs officials
Suddenly the shock: When the customs investigators intensified the controls, some construction workers fled. One after the other she jumped over the fences, and the officials had to try to stop the fleeing. "I said, I said!" Called a customs investigator, but that didn't stop the men. They used the panicked situation to escape.
The officials, equipped with suitable safety clothing and firearms for self-protection, could not prevent some of the men from fleeing successfully. One of the men who was caught had hidden and was finally discovered in the underground car park. In order to prevent further escape, he was put in handcuffs and his papers were checked.
customs controls and their relevance
This is not just an isolated event, but part of the measures of customs to combat undeclared work. According to the Federal Ministry of Finance, the state caused a damage of 615 million euros due to illegal jobs in 2023. To prevent this, employers must ensure that all their employees are properly registered and insured. The city of Mainz has therefore spoken out for the controls to ensure that everything corresponds to the regulations.
Although the man who was caught had a residence permit, according to the customs official, his employment in the construction industry was not lawful. This could cost him and the company to work for legal consequences. Meanwhile, the search for the refugee worker remains in progress, and the customs officials hope to find out more about their personal details.
Sarah Heil, spokeswoman for the city of Mainz, emphasizes the importance of such controls: "We are concerned that the construction site runs clean." The city has the responsibility to ensure that all party steps are observed, even if it is not directly responsible for the companies. The result of the controls is therefore followed exactly to rule out possible further violations.
Current developments
Although these incidents loaded the general atmosphere on the construction site during the first controls, no further irregularities have so far been determined. The customs authority will continue its investigations to ensure that all regulations aim to prevent illegal employment.
The controls represent a significant step in order to comply with legal norms and minimize the risk of undeclared work. The situation in Mainz is therefore not just a local affair, but part of a wider struggle against illegal employment on construction sites in Germany.
background to undeclared work in Germany
undeclared work is an important problem in Germany that affects not only the labor market, but also the social security systems and public security. In 2023, the damage due to undeclared work was around 615 million euros, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance. This affects almost all areas of economic life, from the construction industry to gastronomy. Black labor is not only illegal, but can also lead to a variety of social grievances, such as the exploitation of workers and the loss of tax revenue.
The Federal Government has passed a comprehensive law to combat undeclared work that defines strict guidelines for the employment of workers. The customs authorities are responsible for checking compliance with these regulations. A central task is to ensure that employees have a valid work permit and are social insured. This includes the examination whether social benefits were wrongly related and whether taxes are evaded.
Current statistics on illegal employment
The checks of the customs are part of a comprehensive strategy to combat illegal employment in Germany. According to a current survey by the German Institute for Standardization (DIN) from 2023, over 70 % of those surveyed stated that they noticed undeclared work in their neighborhood. In addition, 65 % of people believe that undeclared work in the construction industry is widespread. Another study by the Institute for Labor Market and Vocational Research (IAB) shows that around 11 % of employees in Germany are affected by illegal work in any way, be it directly or indirectly.
Customs has significantly increased its resources to combat undeclared work in recent years. In 2022, the customs carried out over 7,500 checks nationwide, in which more than 10,000 employees were checked. In about 14 % of these cases, violations were found, often in the form of missing work permits or non -registered employment relationships.
social effects of undeclared work
The social effects of undeclared work are far -reaching. They not only lead to unfair competition, but also put a strain on trust in the legality of the employment relationships. Many people who work regularly see their existence at risk of illegal work. Compliance with regulations is considered difficult, especially in industries such as the construction industry, where there is often a subcontractor.
In addition, the Covid 19 pandemic has tightened the problem because many workers were pushed into precarious conditions. This led to increased attention from the public and politics, and measures were taken to ensure the protection of employees and to fight illegal employment. Despite these efforts, undeclared work remains a persistent problem that continues to require extensive measures.
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