Chile Faces Massive Protests

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

Seems the workers are too damn happy and this because they have a socialist pres. Go figure!

More than 450 people have been arrested after police using tear gas and water cannon clashed with protesters in the Chilean capital, Santiago.

The worst violence broke out when police tried to prevent demonstrators marching on the presidential palace.

Dozens of people were injured, among them a socialist senator.

The main trade union federation called the protest, saying the government's free market economic policies have meant poorer conditions for workers.

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**Tumbleweed** · Admin Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 4

Quote:

The BBC's Horacio Brum in Santiago says about three million workers, roughly half the workforce, earn the minimum wage of $260 (£130) a month.

"But a family of four, without thinking of pension plans and health insurance etc, needs about $1000 to $1,500 a month to live comfortably."

It sounds like the working poor are starting to revolt.

**CHUQ** · Agitator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 3

The new Pres is a socialist and promised a bunch of reforms to help the workers. She has not delivered and the workers have taken to the streets. She will have to find away to quell the unrest or she will have to resort to Pinochet tactics. Which hopefully, she will remember and avoid.