Delta NLC rejects new dress code for civil servants

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, has strongly opposed the new dress code introduced for civil servants in the state, describing it as insensitive and burdensome.

Chairman of the council, Comrade Goodluck Oforbruku, addressing workers in pidgin English on Friday, accused the state government of sidelining labour representatives before issuing the policy. He argued that the move was designed to “tax the pockets of workers” who are already struggling to meet basic needs.

“We nor gree because the money we dey earn nor reach chop. E nor reach pay our children school fees. E nor reach pay our house rent. E nor reach transport ourselves to work, not to talk say all of us must wear suit,” Oforbruku told the workers.

The labour leader vowed that the union would defend any worker punished under the new directive. “We will protect and defend the worker with the last drop of our blood,” he declared.

Oforbruku further questioned the government’s priorities, noting that many civil servants lack basic office supplies. “As we dey so, many workers nor dey see chair and table sit down. Dem nor dey see biro take write for their office. Some nor 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 asked.

He faulted the state government for issuing the circular without consultation. “If you want to make new policy, why you nor go discuss am with workers’ representatives? Dem nor 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,” he said.

Warning against arbitrary rules, Oforbruku added: “If the new code is allowed to scale through, na so one person go come tomorrow, he go say make civil servants nor dey marry. Na that one be new policy of government. One person nor fit wake up change am.”

The NLC maintained that the dress code is unjustifiable and pledged to resist any attempt to impose it on workers.