Cologne Customs inspects workers at Bayer Leverkusen match

Customs authorities from Cologne conducted extensive inspections of security and service personnel during a Bayer Leverkusen Bundesliga home match. Approximately 50 enforcement officers from the Financial Control of Illicit Work unit, supported by twelve employees from the Leverkusen regulatory office, inspected nearly 170 workers employed by 13 different companies.

The operation focused on verifying work permits, social security registrations, and compliance with minimum wage laws. During the inspections, authorities identified several irregularities. This included a 24-year-old Moroccan woman working as a security guard without the required work permit, leading to investigations against her and her employer. Additionally, investigators found preliminary evidence suggesting that one company may not be paying its employees the legal minimum wage.

Jens Ahland, spokesperson for the Cologne Main Customs Office, stated that these on-site interviews are only the beginning of the process. Further investigations involving the review of payroll and financial accounting records will be necessary to determine if all individuals are properly registered for social security or are unlawfully receiving social benefits.