The Maoists say the businesses are exploiting workers

On Thursday Nepal's Maoist rebels threatened to force an indefinite shut down of 10 large business ventures.

The rebels' labour wing accused them of exploiting labourers and backing the government.

The rebels have previously been accused of targeting industries that refused to pay extortion money.

In a statement, the federation of Nepalese chambers of commerce and industry (FNCCI) called for stopping any attempts to disrupt business.

The FNCCI is the umbrella organisation of Nepalese entrepreneurs.

The All Nepal Trade Union Federation - the labour wing of the Maoist rebels - had earlier warned of serious consequences if the businesses defied the call for a shut-down.

Shut-down

They threatened to force an indefinite shut down of 10 big business ventures including a leading hotel in the capital, Kathmandu, with effect from 17 August.

"We had placed an 11-point demand including the release of our federation activists and stopping the exploitation of workers but the government ignored our request," federation chairman Salikram Jamkatel said in the statement.

The BBC's Sushil Sharma in Kathmandu says several industries have closed down over the years due to security concerns caused by the eight-year Maoist insurgency aimed at establishing a communist state.