①An employer must not dismiss a worker in a period during which the worker is absent from work for medical treatment due to an injury sustained or illness suffered in the course of employment, nor within 30 days thereafter, and must not dismiss a female worker in a period during which she is absent from work before or after childbirth based on the provisions of Article 65, nor within 30 days thereafter; provided, however, that this does not apply if the employer pays compensation for discontinuation pursuant to Article 81, nor does it apply if business continuance has become impossible due to a natural disaster or any other compelling reason.

②In a case as referred to in the second sentence of the proviso to the preceding paragraph, the employer must obtain the approval of the relevant government agency with respect to the reason in question.