The Kiribati Government says it is concerned that I-Kiribati seamen working on foreign fishing vessels are losing their jobs because of their drinking habits.
Radio Kiribati reports that the Secretary for Labor and Human Resources Development, Francis Ngalu, says the Japan Tuna Company is also concerned about sailors wanting to end their contracts early.
Mr Ngalu confirmed that some sailors have been sent home with 33 losing their jobs in the first half of this year.
He says another major employer of I-Kiribati seamen, South Pacific Marine Services, has reported similar concerns.
Mr Ngalu says the Marine Training Center and the Fisheries Training Center have started programs to better equip the sailors for working away from home.