| Applicability | Large or industrial establishments (e.g., factories, construction sites) with 20 or more employees. | All commercial establishments, shops, offices, and service providers, regardless of number of employees. |
| Governing Act | Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970 or Factories Act, 1948 | Shop and Establishment Act (State-specific) |
| Regulation Focus | Employee safety, health, working hours, wage conditions in industrial setups. | Working conditions, working hours, holidays, employee welfare in commercial establishments. |
| Employee Count Requirement | Generally required for establishments with 20+ employees (may vary by state). | Required for all commercial establishments, regardless of employee count. |
| Nature of Businesses | Factories, construction companies, large-scale manufacturing. | Retail shops, offices, restaurants, service providers. |