The petitioner is a Co-operative Hospital Society registered under the provisions of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act , 1969. It is stated that the Society has an approved staff strength of 29 and 19 permanent employees are working in the hospital and 44 employees are engaged on contract basis. The Society is providing medical treatment at reasonable rates to patients apart from providing 10% discount on the cost of medicines.

2. The 4th respondent, the Assistant Labour Officer, Ottappalam, conducted an inspection in the Society regarding compliance of the provisions of the Labour legislations including the Kerala WP(C) NO. 32291 OF 2014 : 3 :

Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960, the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 and the Kerala Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1958, and issued Ext.P2 inspection note. To Ext.P2, the petitioner submitted Ext.P3 reply stating that the employees of the Society are covered under the provisions of the Kerala Co- operative Societies Act and the instructions issued by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies from time to time, and in cases covered by such special enactments, th