The background issues as to why terms and conditions have declined might be complex. However, there are two key political issues which make pilots weak.
First and foremost it is a highly vocational profession. A proportion of pilots are so desperate to fly they almost cannot live without the job. Employers understand this key point and exploit it to the full.
Second, pilots outside major airlines, are reluctant to form strong and aggressive trade unions. Quite why I really cannot fathom. You only have to look at British Airways to see the benefit of 100% membership. Elsewhere it just never quite seems to happen.
See my previous post on Emirates on this page. £30,000 for an expat contract. The only reason for leaving Britain for such a job would be a passion for long haul flying and living Dubai. There is almost no opportunity out there to better yourself financially.