Bayer Leverkusen celebrated a 2-0 home win over RB Leipzig on Sunday, but the match at the BayArena was accompanied by a customs investigation into potential minimum wage violations. Around 50 officers from the Cologne Main Customs Office's unit for combating illegal employment conducted unannounced checks on approximately 170 employees from 13 companies providing security services for the works club.
Initial indications suggest one company may not be paying the statutory minimum wage. Authorities also identified a 24-year-old Moroccan woman working as a security guard without the required work permit, leading to on-the-spot investigations against her and her employer. Twelve staff from Leverkusen's municipal order office assisted in the operation.
Jens Ahland, press spokesperson for the Cologne Main Customs Office, outlined the procedure. "Questioning employees on site is only the start of our work," Ahland said. He added that monitoring minimum wage compliance often necessitates deeper examinations of companies' payroll and financial accounting.
The sporting success, which moved Bayer Leverkusen to fifth place in the Bundesliga with seven points, now contrasts with these labour law inquiries. The goals in the 2-0 win over Leipzig were scored by Patrik Schick in the 44th minute and Miguel Gutiérrez in the 57th. The team looks ahead to their next away fixture at Mainz 05 on October 10th with this performance and the current standings in mind.
Further reading: Bild Sport
