THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Council, has condemned the recent circular on the revised dress code for civil servants in the state, describing it as impractical.
Rising from an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting presided over by its Chairman, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, the Congress ,said the directive by the Office of the Head of Service falls short of clarity and fairness across the cadres of the public service.
In a communiquรฉ signed by its Secretary, Comrade Enekhawore Acrobat, the NLC maintained that while workers must shun indecent or shabby dressing in the discharge of official duties, the circular prescribing specifics on appearance could not be sustained without due consultation with labour leaders.
โSEC in session unanimously agreed that workers should avoid dressing indecently or shabbily in the discharge of their official duties. However, the SEC calls for a review of the prescribed specifics on dressing to ensure clarity, fairness, and practicality across all cadres of the service, and urges stakeholders to always consult the leadership of the NLC before reaching resolutions affecting workers in the state,โ the communiquรฉ stated.
The union further stressed that civil servants must be empowered to comply with any dress code, demanding that the state government extend wardrobe allowance to all categories of workers just as applies to Law Officers, Protocol staff, and Assembly personnel.
Beyond the dress code issue, the NLC also acknowledged the release of N10 billion by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for the payment of pensioners, describing it as a demonstration of commitment to workersโ welfare. It, however, urged the government to clear the outstanding backlog of arrears.
The Congress equally recognised the Motorcycle Operators Union of Nigeria as a legitimate body in the state and condemned the reported harassment of its members, calling for an immediate halt to such actions.
