Cathay Pacific Have announced an end to their expat housing perks. Currently running to $hk110,000 per month , the company have stated this is unsustainable, and must be renegotiated. If no agreement is reached before the end of Dec17 , anecdotal evidence sugests is will be paid at a flat rate of commiserate with current standard contract pilots of around max $HK 30000 ish.
With EK paying AED 16000/ month for Captains, it's entirely possible that there is an influx of disgruntled ex CX pilots who will be able to buy a flat and take the hk $33500 per month offered.
Would still be a drastic pay cut for those boys though. But anger can lead to misguided decisions.
Ironically, an Ex EK skipper just joined Cathay Dragon. On local terms . At no 521 on the seniority. Just intime for the industrial unrest. Top marks.