You are absolutely right - you don't lose your basic salary. I wrote that it is unpaid because the compensation package listed uses 80 hours for an average of flight pay for your monthly remuneration. We don't get that during leave, or sick pay. Since our flight pay is a much larger portion of our package than, say, EK, I think it is definitely worth mentioning.
Our monthly flight pay for FO at 80 hours is 8000AED, and for Captains it is 12000AED. EK has significantly less of their salary in flight pay. For comparison, the US airlines are mostly paid completely in flight pay, though there is a monthly minimum guarantee (around 78 hours) so that acts like a basic salary. In addition, you are paid for any trip you call in sick for (or have vacation during).
I just want to make sure everyone is aware of what they sign up for so they are happy when they get here!
Hope that helps,
Randy