The Mauritian Labour Party was structured in 1936 to model the British Labour Party and has similar socialist goals. Among these goals were the initial resolutions to obtain sufferage for the working class, representation in the Legislative Council, the organizaton of a Department of Labour, the prohibition of capitalist exploitation of sugar plantations, as well as the overall implementation of socialist values among Mauritian government agencies.

The Labour party was instrumental in bringing about the independence of the state of Mauritius from the British government in 1968 and has worked to build a comprehensive welfare state. Mauritius now secures benefits such as education, healthcare, widow's pensions, paid sick leave, paid holidays,etc.

The modern goals of the Mauritian Labour Party are to guarantee equal opportunity to all citizens regardless of race, religion, sex, or class and to secure a healthy and clean environment for future generations. The founders of the Mauritian Labour Party are Dr. Maurice Cure, Mamode Assenjee, Dr. Hassenjee Jeetoo, Barthelemy Ohsan, Samuel Barbe, Emmanuel Anquetil, Godefroy Moutia, and Pandit Sahadeo, among others.