When I left EK's employ (except for the pay, not missing it one bit, BTW), and had to endure the HR severance interview, about the only thing I said to them was that if they introduced basings, I'd be happy to stay.
I don't believe I'm giving away my identity to anyone in HR with that comment, as I'm reliably informed that damn near every pilot who leaves EK tells them exactly the same thing.
It'll happen only if they can't find people willing to come to the sandpit. Notice I didn't say 'pilots'. Their 55 tonne (and all other) requirements will slip by the wayside until all you'll need is 5 hours at home on Microsoft Flight Simulator to be admitted as an EK pilot before they have to adopt basings. (And given the recent goings on in India, where many aspiring EK pilots will come from, you'll probably be able to fake those 5 hours on Microsoft Flight Simulator and still be accepted.)