Alpha Leader, almost everything you said about Hong Kong tax in your first post on the subject is incorrect.
Firstly, the employer is not obliged to withold the estimated tax owed, although I think there is some sort of provision to withold the last month's pay. In other words, one way or another the sacked pilots would have had to hand over a large sum of money at short notice.
Secondly, tax is not levied pro rata in the event that employment is terminated during the course of the tax year (isn't it always?). The only consideration when assessing tax under these circumstances is the total amount earned- how many months it took to earn it is irrelevant, although I think the full tax free threshold applies regardless of when employment was terminated.
Thirdly, tax is not a flat 15% "after a very generous tax free threshold is applied". In fact, for any amount above your tax free threshold, tax is levied at different rates, topping out very quickly at 17%. A second calculation is then made whereby your entire earnings, (ie NO tax free threshold) is taxed at 15%. You then pay the lesser of the 2 calculations. If you are earning a decent wage, the 15% applied to your ENTIRE salary will be the cheaper option.
Fourthly, you state that if you're married and have 2 kids you only pay around 8%. See point 3 above. I'm married with 2 kids and I pay 15% of my assessable income in tax.
If you are going to make a point about tax not being an issue at least get your facts straight.