Due H & S CX and BA have had individual bag weights of 23kg for all for some time
Of course they have, and several other airlines, as well, I expect.
It would appear that those at EK are just cronic complainers...nothing especially new.
Anyone who needs a crew bag weighing more than 22 (or 23) KG must be packing it with rocks...or, stacks of electrical appliances to keep their curly locks in place.
If it were up to me, I would have the limit at 18KG.