(1) When an employee claims that an employer is liable to pay to him a lump sum under section 19 and that -

(a) the employee has taken all reasonable steps (other than legal proceedings) to obtain the payment of the lump sum from the employer and the employer has refused or failed to pay it or has paid part of it and has refused or failed to pay the balance, or

(b) the employer is insolvent and the whole or part of the lump sum remains unpaid, or

(c) the employer has died and neither probate of his will has, nor letters of administration in respect of his estate have, been granted, and the whole or part of the lump sum remains unpaid,

the employee may apply to the Minister for a payment under this section.