The Supreme Administrative Court (Photo: Al-Ahram)
Egypt's Supreme Administrative Court on Saturday ruled that four employees of the State Council, a judicial body, should be fired for striking.
Judge Ibrahim Ismail of the Administrative Court had filed a complaint with the Administrative Prosecution in April accusing the four employees of trying to storm into one of his court sessions and stop the trial process.
The judge also accused the four state council employees of attempting to cut off electricity to the courtroom by turning off the mains switch during their protest.
The employees were initially punished with six months’ suspension from work. The decision was appealed before the court.
In a separate case in April, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled that public employees who take part in sit-ins on the job could be punished for impeding the ability of public institutions to deliver services "which constitute a right for citizens."
The court said strikes at places where they are prohibited must be considered a "criminal act," adding that "obedience to superiors is the backbone of any administrative system."
Egypt's 2014 constitution enshrines "the right to strike peacefully" but stipulates that the government can issue laws to regulate such actions.
The court said it based its legal opinion on a tenet of Islamic sharia which stipulates that "warding off harm takes priority over procuring benefits."
According to the constitution, sharia is a main source for the formulation of laws, and new laws must not contradict its tenets.
The Saturday ruling also used Islamic sharia as a basis for its verdict.
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