cxorcist. You are MISSING THE POINT. We ALL support the CEP's, but I can't support them on the issue of housing allowance. A substantial increase in pay is reasonable, but housing is something for expats (for the reasons explained). To keep hanging on to the issue is pointless. Housing is not available on a base, so why should someone 'local' in HK get it? If you want to keep ignoring the points raised, then go ahead, but all you do is lead the CEP's down a blind alley. We can ALL agree that pay raises are deserved and well overdue, but you are distracting the company away from that with the issue of housing for locals. In the end, everyone will be worse off...including the CEP's.
ps. I live in London, arguably the worlds MOST expensive city (with much higher taxes to boot). Shouldn't I be entitled to housing allowance based on your logic??