Satay,
No sweat, I'll assume your nose is clean!!
I've PMed you but, for public consumption, I am pretty confident a document outlining a set of conditions and signed by both parties is a binding contract in the eyes of most jurisdictions, and has statements acknowledging same in mine at least.
Note that Emirates sends out "Contract Adjustment" messages for pay rises and such, as they are detailed in the agreement. That is a pretty compelling admission from EK that it is a party to a contractual obligation.
True, I can't quote you chapter and verse of anyone who has challenged and won because of a contract breech, but I'd wager you can't cite a case of the letter of employment being broken, that break being challenged, and the employee losing in court.