Section 146: Restrictions on suits for wages.

A proceeding for the recovery of wages due to a seaman or apprentice shall not be instituted by or on behalf of any seaman or apprentice in any civil court except where―

(a) the owner of the ship has been declared insolvent;

(b) the ship is under arrest or sold by the authority of any Court;

(c) a Judicial Magistrate of the first class or a Metropolitan Magistrate as the case may be, refers a claim to the Court.