Challenging times for everyone
The based guys returning is a valid point and I'm not so familiar with the complexity of the CX employment contracts.
HKA have let go of Permanent Resident pilots of equal rank & qualification to those who have been kept under work permit sponsorship scheme. The pilots let go were given spurious reasons as to their dismissal, financial times, downsizing ect.
The Permanent Residence / National card has always been played in most nations so it will be interesting to see how well the HKG government protect their own.
Best of Luck.