It sucks, but...
Considering this tread is for the poolies, and obviously the poolies are looking for a new job, maybe these questions apply:
How long it would take to become a Captain if someone joins, for example, American Airlines today? Or United? Or BA?
And in which aircraft would you be promoted?
Lots of white heads on the right seat over there, as I recall.
If you are coming, forget about upgrade in the short term. That's not a selling point now. However, in a long term...
Remember few companies, in a restricted hiring universe, offers you a career, a number. Many hire for a pre-established contract which means they hire an FO to do an FO job until they let you go. Or, there are many others that make you believe they are going to promote you and when the time come, they don't. Not mentioning companies that are making efforts to get rid of all expats.
EK is the company that upgraded more expatriated pilots ever. PERIOD.
To blame the company now because the waiting will be much longer, ignoring everything that is going on in the aviation industry nowadays is to be, to say the minimum, unfair or selfish.