Delta NLC Rejects Public Service Dress Code, Calls for Review

The Public Service Dress Code policy of the Delta State Government has been outrightly rejected by the State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The rejection is contained in a communique issued by the State Executive Council (SEC) of the Congress at the end of an emergency meeting presided over by the State Chairman, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, to deliberate on pressing issues affecting the welfare of workers in the state.

SEC- in -session noted that the circular letter no. HOS.301L7lLs, on the dress code, dated 10th September 2025, issued by the Office of the Head of Service, was at variance with the extant Public Service Rules, which remained the guiding document on the issue of decent dressing within the public service.

It, however, unanimously agreed that workers should avoid dressing indecently or shabbily to work and called for a review of the prescribed specifics on dressing to ensure clarity, fairness, and practicality across all cadres of the service.

SEC-in- session urged stakeholders to always consult the leadership of the NLC before reaching resolutions affecting workers in the state.

The Congress demanded that wardrobe allowance be paid to all categories of workers so that they could dress decently and appropriately like Law Officers, Protocol Officers, and staff of the House of Assembly.

In the communique, signed by the State Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Enekhawore Acrobat, SEC in session commended the Congress Chairman, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, for the proactive steps taken so far, reaffirming its commitment to constructive engagements, industrial harmony, and the overall progress of Delta State, while standing firm in defending the rights, dignity, and welfare of workers and pensioners.

It appreciated the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for releasing N10 billion for the payment of pensioners, noting that the gesture demonstrated government’s commitment to the welfare of retirees who had dedicated their active years to the service of the state, and urged the state government to go the extra mile to clear backlogs of arrears of pension.

SEC in session unanimously recognized the existence of the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria (MOUN) in Delta State and condemned the reported harassment of its members. 

While Labour was not in support of lawlessness or recklessness of members of the union, it insisted that the rights of duly recognized unions must be respected, and condemned the letter written by the SSG, Dr Kingsley Emu, to the Police and the Army.

SEC in session called for an immediate halt to the harassment of members of the union, warning that continued intimidation might place Government and Labour on an avoidable collision course.