At its peak, one out of every four sneakers in the world came from this manor.
This manor was built in a small village in Dongguan, China.
Today, the streets seem close to abandoned, with only traces of the former boom left behind.
These laid-off workers have gathered outside of their old factory to discuss how to get their back wages paid.
China's shoe exports are in decline, and for the millions of migrant workers who came here to earn a living,
the Sloan economy has begun to uproot their lives.
For some, the factory closure might be the end of their urban dream.
Lu Long came to Guangdong from Sichuan province 20 years ago.
Modern China was built on the backs of workers like Mr. Liu.
There's almost as many migrant workers in China as there are people in the United States.
Over 260 million of them have left their homes in the countryside to find work in the city.
And the fading shoe industry isn't alone.
Other manufacturing sectors have failed to compete with cheaper business models in South and Southeast Asia.
And with less work and fewer jobs, more migrant workers have started to ask the question if the city is still the right place for them.
The government has plans to transform China's economy by moving focus to high-tech and green industries.
But their plan largely leaves out uneducated migrant workers who are too young to retire but too old for entry-level factory jobs.
And with so many people like Mr. Liu, the Sloan economy could be the start of a reverse migration pattern.
For now, Mr. Liu is the exception, not the norm.
Most migrant workers who lose their factory jobs will move on to another factory, although they might not get the wage they want.
And as for these workers getting their back wages paid, China's turbulent economy will likely hold on to that.
The company is trying to take better off the market this morning.
I worked a lot earlier and offered benefits or jobs.
I don't want to pay any more, but the boss has already left.
The factory is not here.
What you see on the logo is the brand of this device in the factory.
