Recruitment and Placement.
Section 31
SEC. 31. Recruitment and Placement. - Only duly licensed manning agencies shall be allowed to operate and engage in the recruitment and placement of seafarers, pursuant to existing laws, rules, and regulations. In no event shall recruitment or placement fees, visa and other related costs be directly or indirectly levied or collected, in whole or in part, from the seafarers or their families: Provided, That only the cost of obtaining a medical certificate, seafarer's record book, passport, or other similar travel documents, may be charged to the seafarer. All practices and mechanisms that tend to prevent qualified seafarers from gaining employment shall be prohibited.