I can positively confirm that EK's reputation as an employer with regards to dealing with crews and the lack of respect for a contract is a barrier in recruiting people from my flying environment.
The only way out as I see it is to introduce some massive overtime payment. That would mean basic salary covers some 70h a month, and every hour above it is paid with at least 150% of the hourly rate until 70h, and from 80h on it should be 200%.
This would show a clear commitment from the company to bring workload levels down, by putting this into contract (not into some unilaterally changeable conditions of service).
Additional things would be holiday days give hours credit, sim, groundschool etc give hours credit, etc. Actually all rather standard things.
May be some sort of joining bonus is also needed.