Something to remember here is that EK is not the only show in town, possibly when Jet2 and Ryanair come to Dubai they might just be hoping to target the 700 or so current and type rated pilots based on the other side of the runway.
As a pilot at that other airline, by the time I take into account the far higher cost of living in Dubai, I would probably not be much worse off working for Jet2 than I am here, and long term it would probably be a better environment for my kids to grow up in. And given the choice of LBA to ALC checking in at 1400 LT or DXB to HYD checking in at 2200LT I know which I would rather choose. Or even IBZ or PRG on a Friday night ��