I mention child labour and the terrible working conditions of factory employment in Chapter 17. Here is a photograph of young children in a cotton mill. Unfortunately, things haven’t changed much in some parts of Asia seventy years later. Beggars were a common sight in Shanghai, and some of these photos are distressing. I have also mentioned a number of times coolies transporting goods on bamboo poles or men transporting people and goods in rickshaws or even wheelbarrows.

Child Workers in Cotton Mill

Chinese Girls on a Wheelbarrow

Rickshaw in Shanghai

Wheelbarrow coolie

Coolie with shoes for sale