The Seamen’s Provident Fund Act, 1966 aims to provide for the institution of a provident fund for seamen. The provisions of this Act shall apply to every seaman and to the employer of such seaman unless there are expressed provisions to the contrary The Act defines ‘Seamen’ as a person employed or engaged as a member of the crew of a ship under the Merchant Shipping Act but does not include a welfare officer, nurse, musician, pilot or deck barber. The Government has been empowered under this Act to frame a scheme to be called the Seamen's Provident Fund Scheme for the establishment of a provident fund for seamen. The Act further provides for the establishment of a fund after the framing of the Seamen's Provident Fund Scheme, in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the Scheme. The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette add to, amend, vary or rescind the Scheme. The Act also provides for the Constitution of a Board of Trustees of the Seamen's Provident Fund which shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal and may, by that name, sue and be sued.
