Edmonton places moratorium on body rub shops

Edmonton is imposing amoratoriumon newbody rub parlours until January 2014.

The city will set up a committee to study the industry, looking atwork conditions, how sex workers are recruited,and whetherservices exist to help them get out of the industry if they wish.

City council approved the moratorium Wednesday, without debate.

The city estimates there are 39 erotic massage parlours in Edmonton. That's fewer than in 2009 when theindustrypeaked at49 licensed parlours.