SINGAPORE - More than 7,000 people gathered at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio River Plains on Saturday (March 12) for a space-themed picnic under the stars.

The event featured a contest for "best dressed space explorer" and cosplayers dressed as space creatures, as well as an opportunity for families to star gaze.

The NTUC event, called U Picnic, was first organised in 2012 to provide union members a chance to bond with their families. In attendance were NTUC FairPrice chief executive officer Seah Kian Peng and Mr Desmond Choo, director of NTUC youth development.

Mr Choo, also MP for Tampines GRC, said that events such as U Picnic not only allowed families to interact, but also gave NTUC an opportunity to engage with workers.

"I think it's important that we understand their concerns better, to advocate for policy changes," said Mr Choo, adding that it was important that workplaces be supportive of workers in allowing them to spend more time with their families.