The halcyon days of equal time tours for expats may be numbered.
Unfortunately, there is another option for companies offering worse conditions. They can get people from former Soviet Bloc countries, India, Pakistan, Philippines etc.
Yesterday I was talking to a Master Mariner who commanded large ships for 25 years of her (yes her) 45 year career at sea. She says that the shipping industry has gone the same way, with conditions now considerably eroded by those from less fortunate backgrounds who will accept less. They can get three qualified Captains from elsewhere for the cost of one from Aus, the UK or NZ.
Whatever we may privately think of relative standards, a licence is a licence, so let's not go there.....