Poster calling for a general strike on 11 February 2012 - A worker faces off with Field Marshal Tantawi (Photo: Internet)
Muslim Brotherhood Secretary-General Mahmoud Hussein has condemned calls for a general strike and campaign of civil disobedience beginning on 11 February, the first anniversary of the ouster of former president Hosni Mubarak.
A host of political, workers and student groups have called for acts of civil disobedience – including the non-payment of taxes and utility bills – and a general strike, to force the immediate handover of power from the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) to a civilian administration.
Hussein rejected the call, urging the population to double their work rate in order to "rebuild the country and not bring it down."
"These calls are extremely dangerous and threaten the nation and its future," he added. "A general strike would see train traffic halted, no transportation, and no work in factories, institutes or universities.
"It also means no one would pay taxes to the government, or fees for public utilities, which would damage the already crippled economy and lead to the country's decline."
On Monday, the Egypt Revolutionaries' Alliance – an umbrella organisation of over 50 political groups, including the country’s six most prominent revolutionary movements – endorsed the campaign.
The alliance was formed during November's Mohamed Mahmoud Street clashes between protesters and the police.
The April 6 Youth Movement is among the groups supporting the call for a general strike.
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