Russian lawmakers on Tuesday gave the government the first stamp of approval on two bills that would authorize companies to supply the military and their employees with goods in support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told parliament that the measures stemmed from the need to support the military at a time when Russia’s economy is under “huge sanctions pressure” from the West, more than four months after the country called for a special military operation against Ukraine.

“The burden of the defense industry has increased significantly. To guarantee the supply of weapons and ammunition, it is necessary to optimize the work of companies that are part of the military industrial complex and cooperation chains,” he said.

One of the bills, passed on first reading by the Duma, the lower house of parliament, says the state can implement “special economic measures” during military operations that require companies to supply goods and services to the military as the government demands.

The explanatory note attached to the project states that the army needs new materials and weapons repairs to continue the operation in Ukraine.

“The need for immediate compliance with these requirements, especially in the context of sanctions against Russia and Russian entities, will require us to temporarily focus our efforts on specific sectors of the economy,” the note said.

A second bill, also passed on first reading, would amend labor law to give the government the right to regulate working hours and set days off in certain companies.

Both projects were submitted by the Russian government. They still have to go through the second and third readings, be reviewed by the upper house of parliament, and be approved by President Vladimir Putin to become law.