Personally, I cant see the company ditching the bases as long as there is housing allowance in HK under existing contracts. There are just too many benefits to the company of having guys on bases.
And I suspect that the reason not many people leave for EK, is the housing, and the prospect of living in the sandpit.
I think that once CX ramps up C scale, and actually gets some poor suckers to sign up to such a sh!tty deal, we will see a reassesment of the housing.
I wouldnt be surprised if the company tries for a lowered scale, in exchange for 25 years. Hopefully it wont be "sign or be sacked". But you never know.