Workers in the informal economy around the world - in pictures

Who are the 2.5 billion people unbanked? Each year, the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGap) hosts a photo contest to raise awareness about the importance of increased access to financial services. The 2014 winners were announced on Monday 17 November

  • First prize: Cormorant fisherman by Soh Yew Kiat, China

    While there aren’t many practicing cormorant fishing these days, this man continues his family’s legacy as a cormorant fisherman. He became an entrepreneur as a local tour guide for the many travelers who visit the area each year
    Cormorant Fisherman

  • Second prize:

    Gramophone repair by Bulent Suberk, Turkey This photo was taken in a grand bazaar in Istanbul. This man still maintains a gramophone repair shop and earns a decent living despite his age. Gramophone repair was also his father’s profession
    Gramophone Repair

  • Third prize:

    Smallholder by Hailey Tucker, Tanzania Anjelica helps harvest Beatus Balama’s farm in Ndiwili, Tanzania. Beatus farms with One Acre Fund, a social enterprise based in East Africa that supplies smallholder farmers with the financing and training they need to grow their way out of hunger and poverty
    Smallholder by Hailey Tucker, Tanzania

  • Sub-saharan Africa regional winner:

    Active fishing by Roberto Huner, TogoOn the coast of Togo, these men partake in active fishing with large nets released near the shore that are then pulled onto the beach by the strength of dozens of young men joined in a cooperative
    Active Fishing by Roberto Huner, Togo

  • Finalist:

    To the market by Tuan Kiet Pham, Vietnam These women traverse the dunes to reach the market each day to sell their products.
    To the Market by Tuan Kiet Pham, Vietnam

  • South Asia regional winner:

    The Watch Maker by Suvanker Sen, India Watch making and repairing is this man’s family business which he has been doing for over 30 years to earn his livelihood
    The Watch Maker by Suvanker Sen, India

  • Finalist:

    The power of group by Vikash Kumar, India Groups have played a very significant role in the success of microfinance. Groups have become a major tool of female empowerment across many developing countries
    The Power of Group by Vikash Kumar, India

  • Special mention:

    School tailor by Rafael Hernandez, Mozambique A tailor for a secondary school races against the sun to sew the last school uniform of the day. He uses his skills to help the students, but also sews for other small businesses to earn his livelihood
    School Tailor by Rafael Hernandez, Mozambique

  • Latin America and Caribbean regional winner:

    Brick maker by David Martin Huamani Bedoya, Peru This man lives in a neighborhood where more than 200 families live dedicated to brick manufacturing. They sell their bricks to individuals or companies who want to buy bricks at a lower cost
    Brick Maker by David Martin Huamani Bedoya, Peru

  • Special mention:

    The weaver by Utpal Das, India This man runs a small handmade textile factory at west Bengal, India
    The Weaver by Utpal Das, India
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