(1) No
employer shall dismiss, discharge, or reduce or otherwise punish an employee during the period the
employee is in receipt of sickness benefit or maternity benefit, nor shall he, except as provided under the
regulations, dismiss, discharge or reduce or otherwise punish an employee during the period he is in
receipt disablement benefit for temporary disablement or is under medical treatment for sickness or is
absent from work as a result of illness duly certified in accordance with the regulations to arise out of the
pregnancy or confinement rendering the employee unfit for work.
(2) No notice of dismissal or discharge or reduction given to an employee during the period specified in sub-section (1) shall be valid or operative.
(2) No notice of dismissal or discharge or reduction given to an employee during the period specified in sub-section (1) shall be valid or operative.