When members of parliament return from recess, they will have a juicy bill on the legislative menu. Gossip disclosed Ethiopia's parliament will be required to ratify a bill that will determine the privileges and benefit package designed by the Council of Ministers for ministers, state ministers and deputy ministers when they are relieved of their public service responsibilities.

So far, it has only been the president of the nation privileged to enjoy such benefits. When the president leaves office, he departs Emperor Hailesellasie's Jubilee Palace, on Menekil II Avenue, with a retirement package comprising 5,000 Br monthly salary; free housing; security details and, perhaps a government vehicle and driver.

Whether or not this has ever been fully provided is what Negasso Gidada (PhD), the only ex-president residing in the country, could bear out. Well, as an MP who ended up there after campaigning on a private platform, he will have his moment in Parliament when the bill is tabled in a few weeks, gossip said.

Government officials with ministerial rank are entitled to a free 500Sqm plot to build their residence. That had been a long term asset they would have left with upon relinguishing government positions that pay ministers and their deputies monthly salaries a little over 4,000 Br.

Now, the current administration wanted to do a little more than that, a view some ministers in the cabinet feel is a long overdue gesture. Why would this government take 18 years to compensate those that provided loyal service in a manner that is done 20 times better in Kenya and Uganda, was a question indeed whispered in the corridors of power, gossip claims.

Well, better late than never.

The new bill begins by granting departing ministers the right to be awarded a colourful certificate handed over by the Prime Minister in recognition of distinguished public service. Add to that, a life-time privilege of departure and arrival through the VIP lounge at the various airports, including Bole International Airport.

The bill also provides departing ministers the right to monetary compensation on top of the retirement scheme, to be calculated progressively and on their base salary, gossip disclosed. Estimated not to exceed a monthly allowance of 1,500 Br, this monetary compensation would run for between five to 10 years, depending on the seniority of the minister leaving public office, according to gossip.

Gossip hardly expects misgivings among the public over an issue to pay this token gesture to probably not more than 50 people at any given time. It certainly will not be that much of a burden with potential to inflate the budget deficit.

The trouble will begin if over 500 MPs, whose goodwill and understanding the administration appreciates in voting in favour of this bill, also demand as much compensation when they leave the House of Peoples Representatives. Indeed, there are as many in the Federation Council who may think they deserve treatment equal to their colleagues in Parliament, gossip anticipates.