A report by the ARD investigative programme Report Mainz has brought serious allegations of labour exploitation to light in Germany. Cleaning staff working at Sanifair toilet facilities — a familiar sight at motorway service stations across the country — claim they were made to work up to 12 hours a day, seven days a week, for an hourly wage of approximately €5. That is less than half of Germany's current statutory minimum wage of €12.82 per hour. If the allegations are accurate, they represent significant violations of German labour law. For expats working in cleaning, hospitality, logistics, or other service sectors, this story is a reminder of why knowing your rights is essential — and what to do if those rights are being violated.
According to workers who spoke to Report Mainz, conditions inside Sanifair facilities were demanding and the compensation far below legal standards. Workers described shifts of up to 12 hours with no adequate rest breaks, no days off, and wages of around €5 per hour. Under Germany's Mindestlohngesetz (Minimum Wage Act), every worker — regardless of nationality or contract type — is entitled to at least €12.82 per hour as of 2024. Working-time law (Arbeitszeitgesetz) also sets a maximum of 8 hours per day (extendable to 10 hours under certain conditions) and requires at least one full day of rest per week. A pattern of 12-hour shifts, 7 days a week, would violate both of these laws simultaneously.
Sanifair's operating company has not yet publicly responded in detail to the allegations. Investigations by authorities are ongoing.
Labour exploitation in the cleaning, catering, and service sectors disproportionately affects workers who may be unaware of their legal rights, fear losing their job or residence status, or face language barriers that make it harder to report problems. Migrants and expats — especially those new to Germany or on precarious contracts — are statistically more vulnerable to these situations.
It is important to understand that in Germany, labour law protections apply to everyone working on German soil, regardless of nationality, visa type, or immigration status. You do not need to have a permanent residence permit or German citizenship to be protected by the minimum wage law or working-time regulations.
Here are the key protections every worker in Germany is entitled to:
If your employer is not meeting these standards, you have the right to report it — without fear of immediate deportation or job loss as direct retaliation for a complaint.
If you believe your employer is violating labour law, you have several options:
Retaliation against a worker for reporting labour violations is illegal in Germany. While an employer can terminate a contract for legitimate business reasons, dismissing someone specifically for filing a complaint is considered unfair dismissal (ungerechtfertigte Kündigung) and can be challenged in a labour court (Arbeitsgericht). Reporting a wage violation does not automatically trigger any immigration enforcement action against you.
Yes. Any contract clause that pays less than the statutory minimum wage is legally void in Germany. You are entitled to the minimum wage regardless of what your written contract says. You can claim back unpaid wages for up to three years through the labour courts.
Even without a written contract, you are entitled to minimum wage protections under German law if you are performing work for an employer. Undeclared work (Schwarzarbeit) is illegal, but the wage entitlement still exists. Contacting the Zoll or a trade union for advice is the recommended first step.
The Sanifair case is a reminder that labour exploitation can happen in plain sight — even at well-known brands. For expats and migrants working in service jobs in Germany, the most important thing is to know your rights before you need them. Keep copies of your payslips, note your working hours, and do not be afraid to seek help if something feels wrong.
If you are unsure about your situation, contact a trade union for free initial advice, or visit the official Zoll website to file a report.
Source: tagesschau / Report Mainz
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