Customs Raid Nets 3 Illegal Workers in Catering Industry
Over 100 inspectors from the Main Customs Office Cologne recently conducted a nationwide focus check on 38 catering businesses and their 187 employees. The inspections, which involved personnel from regional governments and local immigration offices, uncovered several cases of illegal employment and potential wage law violations.
The inspections, held in late September 2025, targeted restaurants in Erftstadt and Cologne. In Erftstadt, a 45-year-old Vietnamese man was found working illegally at a local restaurant. The employer, the female owner of the establishment, is now under investigation by the Hauptzollamt Köln (Customs Investigation Bureau Cologne).
In Cologne, a 23-year-old Brazilian woman and a 28-year-old Indian man were also discovered working illegally at two separate restaurants. Both are now facing investigative proceedings.
The initial phase of the inspections involved questioning employees to ensure all were properly registered for social security and that minimum wage laws were being adhered to.
The inspections, which covered 38 businesses and 187 employees, resulted in immediate investigations against several employers. The findings highlight the ongoing efforts to combat illegal employment and ensure compliance with wage laws in the catering industry.
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