Australian unions have joined forces with their international counterparts to slam a shadowy free trade deal that could increase the power of foreign corporations at the expense of workers and consumers.

In particular, they are concerned it will erode workers’  rights, give corporations more power to sue the government on issues such as plain packaging laws, and make it more difficult to protect the environment.

• Secret foreign courts ‘threaten democracy’
• Shadowy trade agreement ‘at advanced stage’
• Secret trade deal turns consumers into criminals

The 12 nations involved in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), including the USA, Mexico, Japan and New Zealand, are expected to reach an agreement later this year, following years of confidential talks.

Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) president Ged Kearney said: “The TPP makes corporate profits more important than protections for clean air, clean water, climate stability and workers’ rights.

“A fair trade deal needs to recognise and protect workers’ rights, environmental standards and access to quality public services – this is not happening with the TPP.

“TPP talks are being held in secret without unions, business, church, environmental or community groups being involved – this is great for big multinational companies but terrible for ordinary people and the role of governments.”

The ACTU has joined forces with unions from all 12 countries to call for negotiations to be shut down “unless there are genuine, transparent, public mandates that put people front and centre – not big corporations.”

The involvement of the unions will be a major boon for the anti-TPP movement, which until now has been led by consumer advocates, environmental activists and marginal political groups.

In Australia, Greenpeace, GetUp! and Choice have been among the most vocal critics of the TPP.

While the details of the agreement have not been officially released, some details leaked through Wikileaks have raised serious concerns that intellectual property provisions could significantly increase the cost of pharmaceuticals. The deal would also make it easier to sue governments for enacting policies that harm corporation’s interests.