Oh gawd - here we go again.
First, I very much doubt that EK PROMISED anyone a command in 3 yrs, 5 yrs or 7. At interview airlines might cautiously discuss the expected time to command based on current thinking but I've never known any company that wouldn't lay emphasis on the fact that this was not promised.......... but so often guys just don't listen...............
Its also true that every airline I've worked for has had talent for promotion but also some f/o's that thought they should be captains but frankly didn't deserve it based on either ability or attitude or both.
It is important that pilots stick together - that is pilots - not captains and not purely f/o's. Most of you f/o's that are complaining will eventually make it into the LHS maybe with EK, maybe elsewhere.
So once you've made it, do you propose to stay with that company for the next 10, 20 or 30 years or whatever you have until retirement? Most of you will not because we enjoy a profession which allows us mobility and variety.
Once you've been LHS on your EK Boeing or Airbus for a few years and you are ready to move on, I bet you won't be so keen to see other airlines protecting the rights of their f/o's.