Section 20: Exemption of marginal employers

(1) An employer affected by an order made under section 19 of this Act, may appeal in writing to the Minister for a permit of exemption from the order; and on receipt of such an appeal the Minister may reject it or refer it to any person or persons appointed by himself for investigation.
(2) Where the appeal is referred pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, having regard to the grounds of the appeal and the circumstances of the employer, such person or persons shall submit their report to the Commissioner within sixty days from the date of their appointment.
(3) On receipt of such report the Minister may either reject the appeal or issue an exemption permit accordingly, specifying in the permit the minimum wage and conditions or the minimum wage or conditions of employment which shall apply to the workers engaged by the employer concerned.
(4)
Wages or conditions of employment specified pursuant to subsection (3) of this section shall have effect as if they were statutory minimum wages or, as the case may be, statutory minimum conditions fixed under section 10 of this Act.
(5)
Any person or persons appointed under subsection (1) of this section shall be paid such remuneration and allowances, if any, as may be approved by the Minister with the concurrence of the Federal Ministry of Finance.