…Says policy insensitive to economic hardship facing workers
Reactions have begun to trail the introduction of revised dress code policy for civil servants in Delta, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) rejecting the policy, describing it as insensitive to the plight of the workers.
Goodluck Oforbruku, chairman of the Delta State Chapter of NLC, rather called on the state government to provide wardrobe allowances for civil servants if the policy must be implemented.
Addressing workers in the state in Pidgin English Language Friday, Oforbruku, said, “We nor gree because the money we dey earn no reach chop. E no reach pay our children school fees. E no reach pay our house rent. E no reach transport ourselves to work, not to talk say all of us must wear suit.”
Oforbruku vowed that NLC will protect and defend the worker with the last drop of their blood.
“Dem never even think how to improve on wetin we dey earn, whether we fit chop, whether we fit take care of our health. Dem dey say make we wear suit or wear that. The money no dey for us to wear those ones.
“If you want to make new policy, why you no go discuss am with workers’ representatives? Dem no even discuss am with any of us. Dem just sit down for their office, issue circular. Dem think say because Dem dey get corner marking na so all workers dey get corner marking.
“As we dey so, many workers no dey see chair and table sit down. Dem no dey see biro take write for their office. Some no even get paper. No stationery. You dey say make we go buy suit. Where the money dey? How much you dey pay the people?”
He warned that if the new code is allowed to scale through, “Na so one person go come tomorrow, he go say make Civil Servants no dey marry. Na that one be new policy of government.”
He said that there are rules that govern the civil service, insisting that, “One person no fit wake up change am.”
According to him, “We will protect anybody from anyone who wants to sanction you.”
Earlier in an interview with newsmen in Asaba, Oforbruku had frowned over the non-consultation of labour representatives before the introduction of the policy.
He noted that the civil service operates on well-established rules and regulations.
“Any policy affecting workers, especially one that increases their financial burden, must involve stakeholder engagement.
“Many civil servants are already struggling to meet basic needs due to rising cost of living and mounting family responsibilities. Introducing a stricter dress code would only worsen their plight.
He urged the government to support the policy with appropriate interventions, including the provision of wardrobe allowances, to cushion the financial implications on workers.
On the other hand,, Oforbruku advised civil servants to maintain decency and professionalism in their appearance as NLC does not condone indecent dressing.
The labour chairman while warning against any form of victimization by heads of departments or supervisors, urged workers to report such cases to labour leaders promptly.
The circular and the revised dress code:
The Office of the Head of Service, Delta State signed the circular and released it through the New Media Office to the Governor, Thursday, September 11, 2025, prescribing specific dress patterns to be adhered to by all employees in the state public service,
For male officers, the circular directed that:
“All officers on GLs 13 and above should appear at work in Complete Suits, except for uniform officers as given.
“All officers on SGLs 07-12 should appear as in (i) above or in a Pair of Trousers, Shirt and Tie, except all Administrative Officers who should always be in Suit.
All officers on SGLs 01-06 should appear as in A(i) or A(ii) above, except for uniformed staff e.g. Drivers, Plant Operators etc; who should always be in their Uniforms; and in the absence of uniforms, should put on Trousers and Shirts to work.
“Also, traditional attire for male officers shall be permissible only on Fridays and on special occasions; and such includes Smart Senator Suits, Modern Caftans or Native Shirts with matching Trousers, complemented by the appropriate Traditional Cap.”
“Resource Control and Papas Caps are prohibited; while Bushy beards are proscribed.”
For female officers, the directive read:
All officers on SGLs 13 and above should appear at work on Trouser Suits, Skirt Suits or Corporate Gowns below the knee level (No hats); and all Trousers Must come in Suits.
“All officers on SGLs 07-12 should appear either as in B(i) above or in free Gowns below the knee level with Sleeves, or Skirts below the knee level and Blouse with sleeves to match (sleeveless or spaghetti hands are prohibited).
“All officers on SGLs 01-06 should appear as in free Gowns with Sleeves, or Skirt and Blouse as described in B(ii) above.
“Traditional attire for female officers shall be permissible only on Fridays and on special occasions; and such includes Traditional costumes such as Buba and Wrapper, Skirts with Blouses, or Gowns fashioned from African fabrics, provided such garments have proper sleeves.”
The circular also warned that “all female dressing should be with decorum devoid of any provocative exposure of cleavages. Meanwhile, braided or tainted hair; long eye lashes and artificial nails are prohibited.
Senior officers to lead enforcement:
To ensure compliance, heads of departments have been directed to send home erring officers as improper dressing in the public service would no longer be tolerated, said the HOS.
“It is also very important to underscore the vital role expected of senior public servants in revising the said anomaly through leading examples of appropriate dressing culture that demonstrates decorum to guide and correct subordinates.
Whenever lapses are observed, sanctions may be invoked towards checkmating the ugly trend, based on the Public Service Rule No.04314, which states inter-alia: ‘No Officer shall appear in the office or anywhere in his official capacity attired in a manner deemed inappropriate or immodest.’”
The circular, signed by the Office of the Head of Service and released by the New Media Office of the Governor on Thursday, said the move was to “uphold decency in the appearance of Public Servants across the State.”
It recalled that the old dress code was contained in a circular of March 12, 2009, but stressed that “in an effort to address the unpleasant practice of improper dressing that has become commonplace in the State Public Service, it is instructive to announce a review of the existing dress code contained in circular letter No. HOS. 15/13/74 of 12th March, 2009; for the purpose of upholding decency in the appearance of Public Servants across the State.”
