Slightly off topic but in the interests of accuracy.....
It is illegal under UAE law to hold a full time job aged over 65
. From a previous post.
UAE authorities were quite happy to issue me a work permit, residence visa and replacement Emirates ID when I was 66.
But in any case as a government entity, EK need not comply with local laws.
That's how they can push staff to take unpaid leave - whereas in the private sector only the employee may request unpaid leave. The company may not lead the process.