WORK came to a standstill at the Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board after employees downed tools in protest against management's decision to award themselves a 50percent pay hike.

In contrast, unionised workers only received 2percent, prompting the entire workforce to demonstrate outside LTPB offices.

They waved placards yesterday, calling for LTPB chief executive Benny Boshielo to resign.

The workers accused Boshielo of undermining them.

This follows reports that Boshielo had approved salary adjustments for members of management but reportedly refused to adjust salaries of unionised employees.

The workers have vowed to continue with the strike action until their demands are met.

"We have suffered enough under this management. There is no way we can tolerate the kind of abuse we have been subjected to at the hands of Boshielo. He must just go," the workers said.

Jacob Adams, Capricorn regional secretary of Nehawu, said they had engaged LTPB management on several occasions to hike the salaries of the workers without success.

"How do you explain a situation where management increases its salaries by 50 percent while the general workforce only receives a 2percent increment? This is pure madness," said Adams.

He said management told them it could not afford the 15percent pay rise they had demanded.

Boshielo's phone rang unanswered yesterday. LTPB spokesperson Mike Tauyatswala asked to be called later as he was busy.