Ah common this is nothing new EK did it in the past and is doing it again. It was when they put the H.A.R.T. or H.E.A.R.T.H. in and then got rid of it as soon as they got a pilots shortage.
As far as the sheikh of Dubai forgot his name being head of GCAA that story is going around for years and if he's not head of that ministery surely his brother, cousin, uncle or good friend is head of the department. You should by now know how these things work in the sandpit.
On the other side GCAA approves a lot of things for other operators as well it's not just EK.
If you can not leave for whatever reason get a sicknote if you're to tired to fly this is covered under the regs.
As far as locals not being able to leave EK not sure why.... Do they get punished if they come back into the country? Do they get a sightseeing tour from ATC? or is it something else....