BRUSSELS, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- An international labor group is accusing Iraq's Oil Ministry of union-busting by using old laws to block oil unions from engaging in the oil law debate.

The International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions opposes Oil Minister Hussain al-Shahristani's refusal to meet with Iraq's oil workers and instructions to the ministry's departments and companies to cut off all ties.

The ICEM says the move is because the unions are vocal opponents to a draft oil law, which they say will open the doors of Iraq's vast oil reserves to foreign and private companies. Saddam Hussein barred oil workers from unionizing and subsequent governments have also weighed in that direction.

The 2005 constitution calls for a separate workers rights law, which has yet to be drafted, yet alone enacted.

In a letter sent from the ministry to its oil companies and other departments, "unions do not enjoy any legal status to work inside the government sector," it said, and gave them two weeks to cut off ties.

"The promotion and development of free and democratic trade unions, and the necessary social dialogue attached to that is essential for the reconstruction and reconciliation in Iraq," ICEM General Secretary Manfred Warda said in a statement. "We stand with our Iraqi brothers and sisters, and ask that this draconian directive be rescinded."

A delegation from the General Union of Oil Workers and Technicians in Iraq was sent to meet with Shahristani earlier this month but was told Shahristani refused.