WORKERS in Chile have staged a general strike to demand higher wages and improved working conditions.

Nationwide demonstrations took place on Thursday, bringing together at least 30 trade unions, students, small businesses and civil society groups in support of the strike called by the Unified Workers Centre (CUT).

There were huge demonstrations in Santiago, Valparaiso, Concepcion, Antofagasta and Ovalle, while a range of other protest actions took place in Atacama, Coquimbo, Rancagua, Temuco, Punta Arenas, Vina del Mar and many other towns.