Section 15-8. Protection against dismissal in the event of sickness

(1) An employee who is wholly or partly absent from work owing to accident or illness may not be dismissed for that reason during the first 12 months after becoming unable to work.
(2) Unless other grounds are shown to be highly probable, absence from work owing to accident or illness shall be deemed to be the reason for dismissal during the period when the employee is protected against dismissal pursuant to this section.
(3) An employee who claims protection against dismissal pursuant to this section must produce a medical certificate or by other means notify the employer in due time of the reason for his absence. When so required by the employer, a medical certificate shall be produced certifying the total length of the sick leave.