Egypt's Cabinet has released a statement after its meeting on Wednesday that the government will work to put in force the law which bans strikes and any demonstrations that disrupt production.

The statement used a harsh tone to confirm that the government will not be “lenient” with any groups or sectors that harm the national economy.

The statement said that the government still insists on upholding the complete right to free speech and peaceful demonstrations, but that “since some sit-ins and factional demonstrations disrupt the production and harm investments, the Cabinet has decided to put in force the two articles 86 and 86 repeat of laws banning strikes and disrupting production.”