National deputy Eduardo Valdés strongly repudiated businessman Cristiano Rattazzi's statements about Greater Buenos Aires residents, calling him a 'racist supremacist'. Rattazzi defended Javier Milei's labor reform, stating that conurbano people now have a chance to work. Valdés reminded him of workers' role in his wealth and quoted Pope Francis on labor rights.
The controversy arose when Cristiano Rattazzi, former Fiat president, defended Javier Milei's government labor reform at the Argentine Industrial Union meeting. Rattazzi stated that 'the people living in the Greater Buenos Aires belt, who were taught all their lives that their life was narcotraffic or stealing or a handout, now will have the possibility to work.' He added that hiring flexibility would create formal jobs and ease staff rotation, celebrating that the government has 'two more years assured' after legislative elections and hoping for 'four more years' to transform Argentina.
Deputy Eduardo Valdés responded immediately on social media, calling the remarks a 'barbarity' and Rattazzi an 'ungrateful racist supremacist.' He reproached: 'you could be rich because there were workers who built the cars you sell.' Valdés also alluded to the businessman's family history: 'This country opened its arms to your family and you after the end of World War II, in 1948,' ironizing that 'they must not have treated you badly, because you decided to stay'.
Valdés ended his criticism quoting Pope Francis: 'work is with Rights or it is slavery' and that it should not be just 'a source of income, but a way to build dignity,' warning that without labor rights it becomes 'a form of slavery.' In the industrial context, INDEC reported 61% installed capacity use in September 2025 and 27,000 jobs lost up to August. Rattazzi, who describes himself as 'fascinated with what's happening' under Milei, emphasized structural challenges in Greater Buenos Aires and potential in mining, energy, and agribusiness.