VICTORIA'S largest infrastructure project remained partially stalled last night despite Fair Work Australia ordering more than 1000 striking construction workers to return to their jobs at the Wonthaggi desalination plant.

The immediate future of the project was unclear, with workers saying that only a fraction of the night shift had turned up, despite the orders to return to work from 4pm yesterday.

Construction workers at the Wonthaggi desalination plant in Melbourne for the Fair Work Australia ruling on their industrial action. The tribunal ordered the workers to halt their strike and return to work. Credit:Jason South

Fair Work Australia senior deputy president Ian Watson ordered the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and its members to stop the industrial action for 28 days.

He said he was ''satisfied'' industrial action had occurred, organised by the CFMEU.