Santiago: Fresh protests and attacks on businesses have erupted in Chile despite President Sebastian Pinera's replacement of eight key cabinet ministers with more centrist figures and his attempts to assure the country that he has heard calls for greater equality and improved social services.

Thousands of protesters crowded again into central Santiago on Monday (Tuesday AEST), and one group set fire to a small shopping centre that houses a fast-food restaurant and stores. Firefighters were battling the blaze.

An anti-government protester stands guard at a burning barricade in Santiago, Chile, on Monday. Credit:AP

Other looters attacked a pharmacy, and there was an attempt to set a subway station on fire. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of people attempted to get home from work on free buses sent to replace trains out of service due to the burning of dozens of stations over the last week in Latin America's most modern public transportation system.

Pinera replaced the heads of the interior, treasury, economy, labour and four other ministries with generally younger officials seen as more centrist and accessible.