Just consider that inflation has been the highest in these two countries. Officially around 9% to 10%, if you consider housing and the local distortion factor, you end up closer to 15%, even 18%.
EK gave a 7%, resp. 8% raise the last two years, add to that the annual 3% raise (both if you behave well and don't s***w up).
Now add to that the 15% decline of the dirham vs. most stable currencies the last 12 months and you will realise that Pay Scales are NEGATIVE around here, unless your savings go across the pond in greenbacks. The rulers are not too concerned about that, inflation hits mostly expats who send money home or still have settlements there, so it will hardly change within the next months. Only if they run short of newcomers in all industries.
Your choice lads, we who are stuck here have to sit it out, hoping one day will show improvement and we can ship back what little we could put aside here. You however can still decide if you want to pay that much to fly bigger jets or add that stripe.