Do Small Clinics in Kerala Need to Follow Labor Laws on Wages and Employment Conditions?

Hi,

Do clinics run with one or two staff come under the purview of labor laws? If yes, what are the conditions and complications? I would like to know regarding the minimum wages and conditions of employment.

Regards,
Abraham

By virtue of SRO 622/90, Private Hospitals, Dispensaries, and Pharmacies are covered by the Minimum Wages Act. The latest minimum wages applicable are not available with me right now, but you may obtain it from the official website of the government of Kerala or from the labor department personally.

I do not think that a clinic/dispensary will be exempted by the Minimum Wages Act for the reason that they employ only two people, because there seems to be no minimum number of employees mentioned in the Act. Any person who employs one or more persons will be regarded as an employer under this Act. However, your clinic will be exempted from the operation of the EPF Act and ESI Act.

Regards,

Madhu.T.K