I think things have become slowly and steadily worse and now more people are affected as we have more crew. Hence more complaining.
What is significant now is what is happening elsewhere in the world. Other airlines are holding recruitment open days in Dubai and the minimum requirements for Emirates have fallen. This suggests some airlines, including EK, are having difficulty getting hold of enough pilots- something which wasn't the case 5 or 6 years ago. The word is well and truly out there that Emirates isn't the dream job it once was. That is the only thing that gives me any hope conditions might improve. Things certainly won't get better just because they are falling in love with the crew.