Chile's president Sebastian Pinera has asked all his cabinet members to resign and promised reforms as he attempts to restore control after a wave of mass protests.

The conservative leader has struggled to manage widespread unrest that has gripped his country this week amid anger over inequality.

At least 20 people have been killed since rioting broke out in response to a four per cent cent rise in subway fares earlier this month.

After 1.2 million people marched peacefully against the government in the capital Santiago yesterday, Mr Pinera said: “We have all heard the message. We have all changed.”

Protesters have been calling for improved pay, pensions, schools, housing and medical care, among other demands, with many arguing Chile's wealthy have grown richer while poorer people struggle.

Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Show all 45 1 /45 Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A member of the security forces shoots tear gas canisters at protesters. Protests against Chilean President Sebastian Pinera's government were triggered months ago after Pinera proposed changes to the country's pension system REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with security forces REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators protest in Plaza Italia in Santiago EPA Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A riot police water truck is hit by a molotov bomb REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws stones REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator blows fire from his mouth as he clashes with riot police REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator kicks back a tear gas canister REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police are reached by a petrol bomb AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator uses a tennis racket to throw a tear gas canister back at riot police AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue SANTIAGO, CHILE - JANUARY 17: A Chilean riot police officer throws a gas pump against demonstrators during a protest against President SebastiÃ¡n PiÃ±era at Plaza Italia on January 17, 2020 in Santiago, Chile. Protests and social unrest arose on October 18 after a subway fare increase which developed in a social movement demanding improvements in basic services, fair prices and benefits including pensions, public health and education. (Photo by Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images) Marcelo Hernandez Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators are sprayed by riot police with a water cannon REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue An anti-government demonstrator covers his mouth and nose during a protest with a sticker on his head that reads in Spanish: "Dignity," AP Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator next to a burning barricade REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator with a placard that reads "United until the Victory" REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in Santiago AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with security forces REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A police water cannon sprays water over anti-government demonstrators AP Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws a tear gas canister back at riot police AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator gestures near a burning vehicle REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Matias Orellana, who lost his right eye due to impact from a tear gas canister shot by security forces, waves to demonstrators gathered to support him outside a hospital REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators take part in a protest against Chile's government in Valparaiso, Chile December 30, 2019. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido RODRIGO GARRIDO REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police officer shots a tear gas canister Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Thousands of Chileans protest against the government of President Sebastian Pinera Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator throws items at an armoured vehicle REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights at police during protests in Santiago, Chile Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights to riot police during a protest Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators point green laser lights at riot police officers Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators use laser beams during an anti-goverment protest in Santiago, Chile on 12 November. REUTERS Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Observers compared the use of lasers to futuristic warfare or a dance club party AFP via Getty Images Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Anti-government protesters clash with riot police in Renaca on Chile's coast AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators burn piles of furniture during a protest against Chile's government in Vina del Mar, on the country's northern coast Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator is arrested by Chilean riot police during a protest in downtown Santiago on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A demonstrator waves a Chilean flag as he is fired upon by water cannons during clashes with riot police during anti-government protests in Concepcion on 4 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators throw stones during a protest against Chile's government in Concepcion, near the country's coast on 7 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A woman walks with her children amid anti-government protests in Concepcion, on Chile's coast on 7 November Reuters Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police during a protest in downtown Santiago on 12 October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Subway services in Santiago were suspended after activists jumped turnstiles, dodged fares and vandalised stations AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators run away from tear gas during clashes with riot police at the Bellas Artes metro station AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue School and university students joined a mass fare-dodging protest in Santiago's metro AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A riot police throws a tear gas canister to demonstrators during clashes AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Riot police stand next to a burning barricade following a mass fare-dodging protest in downtown Santiago AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Chile's President Sebastian Pinera declared a state of emergency in October AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue A protester kicks back a tear gas canister during clashes with riot polic AFP/Getty Riots flare across Chile as anti-government protests continue Demonstrators clash with riot police following a mass fare-dodging protest AFP/Getty

Mr Pinera said he had put all his ministers "on notice" ahead of a cabinet reshuffle to "confront these new demands and take charge of the new times.” He did not say when he would appoint new ministers.

The president as also responded to the protests by raising pensions and the minimum wage, as well as revoking the subway fare hike.

A state of emergency that has covered much of the country for the past nine days could soon also be lifted.

Although protests have largely been peaceful, some demonstrations have erupted into rioting and looting and police have been accused of violently cracking down on demonstrators.

Earlier this week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said a team would be sent to Chile to investigate allegations of human rights abuses against protesters.

Michelle Bachelet, a former president of Chile, said “parliamentarians and the government have both expressed a desire for a UN Human Rights mission.”

The independent National Human Rights Institute has said that since the state of emergency went into effect, 3,162 people have been detained and 997 injured.

Politicians from both the ruling party and opposition have called for ministerial change to re-establish the government’s credibility.

Andres Chadwick, the interior minister who has overseen the police response to the protests, is among the most controversial cabinet members.

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In Santiago, one protester, Pablo Rodriquez, described Mr Pinera’s steps so far as “a good start” but insufficient.

Another Chilean, supermarket employee Yolanda Jerez, told the Associated Press that she supported the moves announced.

“The president's announcements are great because we are expecting changes and they have to start with something,” she said.

Chile is one of the richest countries in Latin America but also the most unequal in the OECD group of high-income developed countries.