Australian unions fear the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal will undermine the rights of workers and are concerned it was signed without any details being given to the Australian public about its implications.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions said it is concerned that in the five years the agreement has been debated "the public has been shut out while some corporations have been allowed to all but write chapters to suit their interests".

ACTU president Ged Kearney said TPP leaks had revealed that some countries were trying to reject protections of workers' rights.

"This deal has been signed in secret, without public discussion or debate and you have to wonder, if it's such a good deal why are the details still hidden?," Ms Kearney said.

"For example we don't know what the deal says about overseas workers and labour movement which would impact jobs and potentially drive down wages and conditions, similar to The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement.

"What we do know is that the US is protecting its interests and the concern is that the impact of this will be negative for Australian workers and communities."

Ms Kearney said Investor State Dispute Settlement provisions allow corporations to sue the Australian government for making laws or policies that are good for Australian people, but may lower profits.

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The Sidney Morning Herald