Some locals in many other sectors in HK, and yes even in Cathay, do have the benefit of a housing allowance. It just depends on where you draw the line.
I don't understand how some fail to see the logic of a group fighting for better conditions which may have a beneficial edge for the rest in the long run. This whole "you know what you got when you signed on the dotted line" ideaology is fatalistic. If that is what you believe, please don't bother with thinking about payrises or improved conditions.
Because you should have known when you joined.