The Egyptian government has decided to apply articles No. 86 and 87 of the Penal Code, which criminalize strikes that interfere with or disable production. The decision has been made in the wake of continued labor and workers' strikes across Egypt after the ousted of Hosni Mubarak in February. The continued strikes have disrupted production, reduced investment and stopped the production wheel in several governmental sectors. According to a statement from the Egyptian Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, the government is determined to protect the peoples' right to peaceful expression of opinion and legitimate demands. However, it stressed that it will not refrain from facing any attempt by any party or class designed to disrupt or damage the national economy, particularly at the current critical phase. The initial announcement of the law criminalizing strikes brought hundreds of Egyptian activists to the streets in protest.
