The savings at a ME airline with month on/off is huge!!!! You save on housing, transport, medical, schooling etc. You really think they will keep playing schooling and housing allowances????
If they go to this model my guess is it will work as follows: your pay will still be deposted into a UAE bank acct. Your 'base' will be a virtual/rostering base and the company will roster you as they see fit - no bid etc. Taxes- your responsibilty in the country your reside in. Your pay - exactly the same rate as other collegues. Medical and schooling your own responsibility.
Those savings are SIGNIFICANT and they have the advantage of keeping the senior/experienced pilots on board.