The Act of 1946 is amended by inserting the following new section after section 48:

"48A. Exemption from obligation to pay statutory minimum remuneration

(1) The Court may in accordance with this section exempt an employer from the obligation to pay the statutory minimum remuneration in respect of a worker or number of workers.

(2) An exemption under subsection (1) shall remain in force for such period, being not less than 3 months and not more than 24 months from the date on which the exemption is granted, as is specified in the exemption.

(3)

(a) Subject to paragraph (b) the Court shall not grant an exemption to an employer under subsection (1) if the employer has been granted an exemption in respect of the same worker or workers under that subsection within the previous 5 years.

(b) Where an exemption under subsection (1) has been granted for a period of less than 24 months, an employer or employer's representative with the employer's consent may, prior to the date on which the exemption is due to expire, apply to the Court to extend the period of the exemption for an additional period.

(c) Where an application is made under paragraph (b) the Court shall not extend the period of the exemption for more than 24 months from the date on which the exemption was granted.

(d) Where the period of the exemption has been extended by the Court under paragraph (b), the Court shall not further extend the period.