I think that a lot of the locals are virtually unemployable elsewhere in the world.Look at some of the drivel that Beholder and Gweiloairline come away with.Is the travelling public safe with them and would the like of Nats employ them.Would they validate in the real world.Answers on a postcard.
At least the 3 year contractors have proved themselves elsewhere to even get the job in HK,and most who are not retired are still working in ATC.(In the real world).