12. (1) The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, constitute an advisory Board to be called the Seamen's Welfare Board, hereinafter referred to as the Board, for the purpose of advising the Government on the measures to be taken for promoting the welfare of seamen, whether ashore or on board ship, generally and in particular the following:- (a) the provision for Seamen's Provident Fund;(b) the establishment of hostels or boarding and lodging houses for seamen; (c) the establishment of clubs, canteens, libraries and other like amenities for the benefit of seamen; (d) the establishment of hospitals for seamen or the provision of medical treatment for seamen; (e) the provision of educational and other facilities for seamen. (2) The Government may appoint Seamen's Welfare Officers at such ports or places in or outside Bangladesh as it may consider necessary. (3) A Seamen's Welfare Officer appointed under sub-section (2) shall, under the general supervision and control of the Government or of such other authority as the Government may, by general or special order, direct, perform- (a) at any port or place in Bangladesh, such functions in relation to welfare of seamen as may be assigned to him by the Government; and(b) at ports or places, outside Bangladesh such function of a Bangladesh Consular Officer under Part IV as may be so assigned. (4) The Government may make rules providing for-(a) establishment of Seamen's Provident Fund; (b) the composition of the Board and the term of office of members thereof; (c) the procedure to be followed in the conduct of business by the Board; (d) the travelling and other allowances payable to members of the Board; (e) 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; and(f) the procedure by which any such fee may be collected or recovered and the manner in which the proceeds of such fee, after deduction of the cost of collection, shall be utilised for the purpose specified in clause (e).