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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Chapter, has taken a hard stance against the newly announced civil service dress code, accusing the state government of insensitivity and disregard for workers’ welfare.

In a strongly worded reaction to the circular issued by the Office of the Head of Service, Dr. Minnie Oseji, NLC Chairman, Comrade Goodluck Oforbruku, condemned the directive as “elitist, colonial, and economically unrealistic.”

The controversial policy mandates strict corporate attire — suits and ties for senior officers, trousers and shirts with ties for junior cadres, and skirt suits or gowns for women — while banning braided or dyed hair, bushy beards, artificial nails, and so-called “provocative” dressing. Defaulters risk being sent home and sanctioned under civil service rules.

The Delta NLC insists the directive is unacceptable.

“Workers are already grappling with rising inflation, stagnant salaries, and high living costs. Forcing them to invest in expensive suits and western-style clothing amounts to an indirect tax on their meagre wages,” Oforbruku declared.

He further described the move as a throwback to colonial mentality, arguing that it privileges foreign dressing over indigenous wear, even as many states — like Abia — have embraced local attire as a mark of identity and economic empowerment.

The union also faulted the government for acting unilaterally without consulting labour stakeholders. “Policies affecting workers should not be imposed from above. They must reflect the realities of our environment and the dignity of labour,” Oforbruku stressed.

The NLC has demanded a wardrobe allowance if the government insists on implementing the dress code, warning that civil servants will resist what it calls “a misplaced priority.” The body argues that instead of spending energy on clothing, the administration should focus on welfare, pensions, and the conditions of service.

With inflation now above 30% and many households under pressure, the NLC views the dress code battle as more than a fashion debate — it is a test of whether the government values worker-centered dialogue over authoritarian decrees.

While the Commissioner for Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, insists the policy is “non-negotiable” and designed to instill professionalism, the labour body says it will not allow workers to be humiliated or burdened by elitist dictates. Strike action, observers warn, may not be off the table if the government refuses to review its stance.

For Delta NLC, the message is clear: “This is not about suits or ties. It is about fairness, dignity, and respect for workers.”