Egypt Military to Ban Strikes

Egypt's military is expected today to ban strikes and crack down on any unrest as it increases control in the wake of Hosni Mubarak's exit. Military leaders threatened to act against any "disorder and chaos" after it disbanded parliament and suspended the constitution in preparation for a promised civilian government in some six months. Sporadic strikes and other protests continued today at the main state-owned institutions, including steel and textile firms and the railways, reports Reuters. Bank officials forced authorities to make today an unscheduled bank holiday to buy more time for a return to normalcy.

The military takeover has been hailed by protesters, but the strike squeeze could bring clashes as emboldened employees have already begun to agitate for workplace changes in the wake of the revolution. "Finally, we have been encouraged to come out and speak," said a mom rallying for higher wages outside a state-owned insurance company. "We want equality," she said. The army, however, is eager to get Egyptians quieted down and back to work.
(More Hosni Mubarak stories.)