After they were broken in, they might take on other tasks or, if they were lucky, get a place at the factory. The Indians’ contracts called for seven hours’ work for about twenty-four cents a day. During the first few months, though, eight cents a week was deducted for food rations. And no matter what the words said on a piece of paper, sugar workers did not work just seven hours. More often than not, they labored as long as there was light
