Section 218. Functions of National Welfare Board for Seafarers

218. Functions of National Welfare Board for Seafarers .―(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute an advisory board to be called the National Welfare Board for Seafarers (hereinafter referred to as the Board) for the purpose of advising the Central Government on the measures to be taken for promoting the welfare of seamen (whether ashore or on boardship) generally and in particular the following:— (a) the establishment of hostels or boarding and lodging houses for seamen; (b) the establishment of clubs, canteens, libraries and other like amenities for the benefit of seamen; (c) the establishment of hospitals for seamen or the provision of medical treatment, for seamen; (d) the provision of educational and other facilities for seamen. - (2) The Central Government may make rules providing for— (a) the composition of the Board and the term of office of members thereof; (b) the procedure to be followed in the conduct of business by the Board (c) the travelling and other allowances payable to members of the Board; (d) the levy of fees payable by owners of ships at such rates as may be prescribed (which may be at different rates for different classes of ships) for the purpose of providing amenities to seamen and for taking other measures for the welfare of seamen; (e) the procedure by which any such fees may be collected or recovered and the manner in which the proceeds of such fees, after deduction of the cost of collection, shall be utilised for the purpose specified in clause (d). 1[218A. Power to make rules for purposes of Maritime Labour Convention. ―(1) The Central Government may, having regard to the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention, and in consultation with such organisations in India as the Central Government may, by order, notify to be the most representative of the employers of seamen and of seamen, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Part. (2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:― (i) the hours of work and rest in a week under clause (cc) of sub-section (2) of section 101; 1. Ins. by Act 32 of 2014, s. 16 (w.e.f. 1-4-2015). (ii) the entitlement for leave under clause (ff) of sub-section (2) of section 101; (iii) the period of night work under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 109; (iv) standards for the quantity and quality of food and drinking water, including the catering standards that apply to food provided to the seamen on ships, under sub-section (7) of section 168; (v) the qualifications of medical officer under clause (a) and the medical facilities under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 173; (vi) the manner and form of certificate to be provided to ships under sub-section (2) of section 176A; (vii) the manner of conducting inspection in a ship to verify possession of the Maritime Labour Certificate and the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance under sub-section (3) of section 176A; (viii) any other matter which may be or is to be prescribed relating to the Maritime Labour Convention.]