ISSUE:
Whether the nature of control, wage payment, and other pertinent elements support classifying Nilgiris Cooperative Marketing Society Limited as the employer of the 407 workers in the Mettupalayam market yard?
Whether the Society's engagement of third parties or contractors for various operations in the market yard constitutes an employment connection, taking into account economic reality, workplace organization, and mutuality of obligations between the parties.
RULE:
The determination of whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor requires a comprehensive analysis of multiple factors, including the level of control exercised by the alleged employer, payment of wages, organization of the workplace, provision of equipment, and overall economic reality.
There is no single conclusive criteria, and the court must consider all of these considerations in order to make a decision.