Amber Online

Boy on scaffold

A 13-year-old working on the renovations of the ancient temples at the ancient city of Pagan. His duty was to winch up building materials for the skilled workers, who are rebuilding the dilapidated though picturesque temples. Skilled workers were being paid 250 kyat per day and unskilled workers (women and children) were being paid 100 kyat per day. They would work for ten days and then have a single day’s rest. At that time $1 = 500 kyat, black market rate. February 1999