That is a sick pay system.
No, that is a North American sick pay system.
I don't know how they did it in Europe or even care
No, because if it's not how it was done where you came from, it doesn't exist- though you did care when you said this-
would not stand up under any test in the first world.
Seems the first world just got smaller!!
At EK if you call in sick you DO NOT GET PAID!
Yes you do, you get paid base salary!
but wake up and at least notice what you are missing. That is a simple request.
Yes, we get it. In the US you get paid for flying you didn't do- fine and dandy.
You also get to fly for carriers that are hemorrhaging money, furloughing and downsizing or just plane going out of business. You get to spend years flying foe a regional on slave wages before finally cracking a major, only to find yourself back on the streets next time oil goes up (Oh, and FIRST WORLD countries have decent redundancy payment laws- not like that bosses Paradise in the US!).
Wake up and notice what you are NOT missing- Job Security for one.