(1) The Labour Court may, in accordance with this section, exempt an employer from the obligation to pay an employee or number of employees statutory sick leave payment otherwise payable to them in accordance with this Act.

(2) An exemption under subsection (1) shall be for a period not exceeding one year and not less than 3 months, and while it remains in force the employer accordingly need not so comply.

(3) An employer or employer's representative with the employer's consent may, in the manner and form approved by the Labour Court, apply to the Labour Court for an exemption under subsection (1).

(4) On receiving an application under subsection (3), the Labour Court shall convene a hearing of parties to the application and shall give its decision on the application in writing to the parties.

(5) Subject to subsection (6), the Labour Court shall not grant an exemption under subsection (1) unless it is satisfied that -

(a) where the employer makes an application under subsection (3), and that employer employs more than one employee, he or she has entered into an agreement with -

(i) the majority of the employees,