A government poll revealed that a majority of Egyptians are opposed to an act that criminalizes protests and strikes.
The Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC) poll showed that 64 percent of 26,000 participants were against the draft law, while 36 percent accepted it and one percent expressed indifference.
Egypt has witnessed nationwide labor strikes and political protests since the overthrow of former president Hosni Mubarak on 11 February. A draft law passed by the government last week criminalizes protests and strikes that would hamper work at any private or public establishment.
Under the new law, anyone organizing or calling for a protest would be sentenced to jail and/or a fine of up to LE500,000.
The new law would be enforced as long as the current Emergency Law, implemented after former President Anwar Sadat's assassination in 1981, is in place. But it first needs to be confirmed by the ruling military council.
The IDSC assists the government in decision-making on issues of political, social and economic reform.
