Bureau Chief Oghenesivbe urges Labour, Civil Servants to dialogue for a peaceful resolution on Delta Dress Code
…Says government intensions reasonable, achievable
The Director General of Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has appealed to the State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to engage in dialogue with the state government.
Oghenesivbe call aims to peacefully resolve contentious issues surrounding the official dress code for civil servants in Delta State.
Global Times Nigeria reports that controversy arose after the Delta State Government revised the dress code for civil servants, mandating strict adherence to a corporate dress code that includes full English suits for senior officers, suits or shirt-and-tie for mid-level officers, and similar corporate attire for lower levels, with traditional attire allowed only on Fridays and special occasions.
The government insists this is to uphold decency and discipline among public servants.
Dr. Oghenesivbe’s appeal is in the context of criticisms from some quarters, including labour groups, who argue that the dress code disregards indigenous cultures and the economic realities faced by civil servants, potentially making compliance difficult given the cost of the prescribed attire.
The government, however, maintains a zero-tolerance stance on indecent dressing and stresses the importance of upholding public service rules on appropriate dress to promote professionalism and a positive public image .
Thus, Dr. Oghenesivbe urges dialogue between the NLC and the state government for a peaceful resolution that respects both cultural sensitivities and the government’s desire to uphold discipline in the civil service
Oghenesivbe’s appeal is contained in a statement on Wednesday, and made available to newsmen in Asaba, the state capital, urging labour not to be confrontational, but to take reasonable steps to expand the scope of peaceful dialogue with the state government.
He noted that labour and civil servants in the state have played significant roles in the progress and development of Delta State, and have also worked harmoniously with the State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.
Oghenesivbe, said governor Oborevwori has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the welfare and prosperity of civil servants and pensioners in Delta State, adding that t’s on record that the governor cleared all promotion areas of civil servants, and paid the backlog of pensioners entitlements, first of its kind since the creation of Delta State.
The Bureau Chief passionately appealed to the leadership of NLC in the state, and the civil servants to consider and sustain peaceful dialogue, while emphasizing the need for decent dressing, noting that the state government neither stated or indicated the cost and quality of clothes or materials for the dress code.
Dr Oghenesivbe, further stated that materials or clothes for the dress code may not necessarily be expensive, pointing out that the emphasis has been on “proper and decent dressing code for male and female civil servants” as against indecent and seductive dressing that could totally erode moral discipline in the physical appearances of civil servants at work places, and during official hours.
